Flagler County approves 195‑foot telecom tower at Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center

The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners voted 3‑1 on March 16 to approve a special‑use permit for a 195‑foot telecommunications monopole at the Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center (formerly the Florida Agricultural Museum) on Old Kings Road.

Planner Simone Kenny told the board the monopole would stand 185 feet with a 10‑foot lightning rod for a total of 195 feet; the structure is a bent‑over monopole designed to collapse inward with a 90‑foot fall radius. The site plan includes a 50‑by‑50 lease area that can accommodate four providers and expanded wetland buffers that exceed code minima.

Kara Hoblick, executive director of the Legacy Learning Center, said the museum would receive an up‑front payment and monthly lease revenue that would provide a steady funding stream for operations and support future programs. Hoblick also said the tower could improve emergency communications and cellular service on trails and remote museum areas.

County Chief Information Officer Matt Rivera told commissioners modern cell facilities often extend cellular coverage about three miles and can provide a cellular backup for public‑safety equipment. "With the tower and Verizon and anyone else they lease on the tower, it's always a benefit to have more communication coverage," Rivera said.

Several commissioners and members of the public raised questions about whether a telecommunications lease is consistent with a 1997 deed restriction that conveyed the property to the museum for use as a principal agricultural museum and related ancillary activities. County attorney Michael Rodriguez told the board the county itself had created the deed restriction and that the commission could decide whether the proposed lease was consistent with the deed; the deed does not contain a reverter clause that would automatically return the property to the county if the use were later found inconsistent.

Commissioner Hansen moved to approve the special use; Commissioner Dantz seconded. The roll call recorded three votes in favor and one opposed (Chair Carney voted no), and the request was approved.

The board's action allows the applicant (Verizon, the listed tenant) to proceed with permitting and finalize lease terms subject to any administrative requirements. The decision was made during a quasi‑judicial public hearing in which staff, the applicant and members of the public presented testimony and asked questions.