Board approves conditional use for 150‑foot telecommunications tower on Nell Avenue
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Summary
After staff testimony and extended public comment citing property‑value, safety and health concerns, the Board of Adjustment approved a conditional use for a 150‑foot telecommunications tower on Nell Avenue, subject to development‑review conditions and required agency clearances.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment on April 15 approved a conditional use to allow a 150‑foot telecommunications tower on Nell Avenue, after staff presentations, applicant testimony and extended public comment.
Attorney Madison Leonard presented for the applicant, MC Pensacola LLC, and said the tower would address documented cellular coverage gaps and support FirstNet and county EMS equipment at no cost to the county. Urban planner Melissa Shirley summarized staff findings that the property is commercially zoned but requires conditional use review because the tower would be within 500 feet of a residential use; staff recommended approval subject to the county development‑review process.
Applicant Harris Corey of Municipal Communications described site design elements including a perimeter wooden fence with brick pillars, a five‑foot landscape buffer where feasible, preservation of six live oaks and a 25‑foot fall zone engineered not to extend beyond the parcel. He said the FAA review was pending and that the tower would be designed to comply with FCC exposure limits.
Several nearby residents testified in opposition, citing concerns about property values, aesthetics, safety during storms and helicopter operations, and radio‑frequency exposure. David Humphreys, a nearby condominium resident, told the board, “A cell phone tower will almost guarantee that nice single family dwellings will not be built adjacent to it,” and urged denial. Attorneys and staff repeatedly reminded speakers that lay testimony is permitted but that expert evidence (appraisals or peer‑reviewed studies) would be required to establish effects on market value or RF exposure for the formal record.
Staff and an aviation‑trained planner addressed helicopter and safety concerns, saying DOD and civilian aircraft use UHF/VHF systems and that required agency reviews (FAA, possible Navy notifications and DOT clearances) and site‑plan inspections would occur during development review. The applicant acknowledged that final development authorization would be contingent on those agency approvals.
A board member moved to accept staff findings and approve the conditional use; the motion was seconded by JC and passed with all members voting in favor. The approval authorizes land‑use approval to proceed to the county’s development review stage; it does not itself grant building permits or other agency clearances.
