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Residents press council on decorative 'cactus' enclosures for wireless equipment; council agrees to review 5G-related rules
Summary
Several residents told the council that decorative enclosures resembling 'fake cactus' have proliferated around Fountain Hills and questioned whether the installations were properly permitted; council members directed staff to compile and consolidate wireless/5G-related ordinances for future consideration.
Multiple residents raised concerns during the call-to-the-public about a recent wave of decorative enclosures around town that they said appear to hide wireless equipment.
"So was Mr. Wesley craft an ordinance that basically gives SRP a blank check to put unlimited equipment above ground?" resident Laurie Troller asked the council, referring to prior ordinance discussions. "Residents don't have a choice... it's not right."
Larry Myers, who followed Troller, said the town map labels the installations as "SRP smart grid routers" but that Salt River Project (SRP) had told him the utility does not use Saguaro-style posts as smart-meter collectors. "That's a quote from SRP," Myers said, and asked to see application records and who applied for the installations.
Councilmember Watts asked that staff identify and consolidate all existing ordinances and resolutions related to small wireless facilities, towers and broadband so the council can consider a single unified ordinance and clearer permitting pathway. Multiple council members voiced support for placing the issue back on a future agenda.
Town staff said some of the questions raised may fall under utilities or public works rather than the wireless ordinance and that they would prepare an educational email and meet with speakers. Staff indicated follow-up meetings are planned after the new year.
No formal policy change occurred at the meeting; council direction was to gather information, review existing regulatory language and return with recommendations so the council can consider amendments or a consolidated ordinance.
