Bristol Bay Borough Assembly introduces two ordinances to allow conditional cell towers in residential zones

The Bristol Bay Borough Assembly on Nov. 3 introduced two ordinances that would allow communication towers in residential and multifamily zoning districts by conditional-use permit, with a maximum height of 100 feet, and set public hearings and second readings for Dec. 1.

Manager James Wilson said the measures are intended as code cleanup to align borough regulations with federal law and to create a transparent conditional-use process. “What this ordinance does … is provide a process that would be consistent with a federal statute,” Wilson said, adding that conditional-use review would include public hearings and additional permitting checks such as FAA clearance or wetland permits.

Assembly members pressed staff about technical details — specifically how setback distances were determined and whether other federal or state permits would be required. Wilson said the planning-and-zoning process would include neighbor notification and that any tower project would still require relevant state and federal permits before construction could proceed.

One assembly member noted there have been recent local efforts to find sites for upgraded towers and that the change is partly driven by providers seeking upgrades to existing infrastructure. A member later declared a conflict of interest and abstained from a related vote; staff recorded the abstention and the measures proceeded to be introduced for first reading.

The ordinances will return for public hearings, a second reading and a final decision Dec. 1. Ahead of that, assembly members asked staff to provide additional detail — including the technical basis for setbacks — so members and the public can review specific standards before adoption.