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Neighbors urge action after small‑cell pole installation; city seeks relocation analysis from carrier
Summary
Residents allege a recently installed small‑cell antenna (installed by Crown Castle) is too close to a home, violating permit conditions and causing health symptoms; families sought relocation and documents. City staff said legal limits on authority to revoke permits restrict immediate action but committed to pursue engineering analysis with the carrier and to press for relocation where feasible.
A vocal exchange during the Nov. 19 public comment period centered on a small‑cell wireless pole installed near a family’s home. Residents Chris Albertalli and Amanda Albertalli told the commission they have experienced persistent health effects, sleeplessness and disruption since the device was placed and asked the city to require Crown Castle to remove or relocate the installation.
The Albertallis said they submitted a records request and alleged permit violations including surface damage, exposed wiring and an improperly sited device within inches of a bedroom window. Chris Albertalli said communications from the carrier about relocation costs were inconsistent and that the family has been told both $250,000 and much smaller figures; Amanda Albertalli described physical symptoms she attributes to the nearby antenna and said the family has stayed away from the house to avoid exposure.
Commissioners and staff described technical and legal limits. The city attorney and staff outlined that Florida law gives telecommunications providers significant authority and that revocation of a properly permitted installation is legally difficult absent a clear permit violation. The city said building/engineering staff had reviewed the installation, that some cases permit an amended application or relocation process and that Crown Castle agreed to undertake an engineering analysis to determine feasible alternative locations for the equipment. City staff committed to continued follow‑up and to providing the family updates on the carrier’s analysis and any enforcement action; residents asked for faster disclosure of documents and stronger enforcement.
Status: unresolved. The commission urged staff to press the carrier to complete and share the relocation engineering analysis and to report back. Staff said the permit review did not show grounds for immediate revocation but that they would continue investigations and coordination with the carrier and counsel.
The episode underscored tensions between state‑level preemption of certain utility siting decisions and local residents’ concerns about placement, permitting compliance and health effects.
