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Committee unanimously forwards temporary-telecom ZTA allowing short-term towers with limits
Summary
The committee unanimously sent ZTA 25-11 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The amendment creates a temporary telecommunications-facility use (typically on wheels) allowed up to 180 days with limited extensions (not to exceed two years), notice requirements, setback rules and planning/tower-committee review for longer or taller installations.
The Montgomery County Planning, Housing and Parks Committee on Oct. 6 forwarded ZTA 25-11 to the full council with a unanimous favorable recommendation after a staff presentation and questions about safeguards.
Sponsor Council Member Lukey said the amendment was drafted to solve practical problems encountered when antennas or tower-mounted equipment must be relocated during lengthy repairs or infrastructure work. "This was the whole intent of this was to solve a very practical problem that we have encountered already here in the county," the sponsor said.
DPS told the committee that the existing conditional-use and building-permit processes can take too long in situations where providers must restore coverage quickly. DPS Deputy Director Ihsan Motezdi said a narrow temporary-use mechanism would facilitate a faster, limited review for facilities on wheels and other short-term solutions while still requiring notice and limits to protect neighbors.
Key provisions summarized by council staff include: a new temporary-telecommunications-facility use allowed in all zones for up to 180 days, DPS may grant extensions but not beyond two years in total, structures on wheels under 80 feet erected for fewer than 30 days would not trigger a building permit, and facilities must be removed within 48 hours after the approval period ends. The ZTA requires mailed notice to adjoining municipalities, property owners and community associations within 300 feet (except in declared emergencies), prohibits illumination except as required by FAA/FCC, and keeps noise standards and waiver procedures in place.
Staff also noted safeguards: the tower committee (transmission-facility coordinating group) can recommend reduced setbacks in true emergencies; planning-board recommended language to align building-permit triggers with the time thresholds, and council staff proposed language for a possible minimum waiting period to avoid serial short-term renewals at the same exact location.
After clarifying questions about executive emergency powers, coverage, notice, and height limits (DPS said 80 feet accommodates available wheel-based facilities), the committee disposed a planning-board technical amendment and, by voice vote, unanimously forwarded ZTA 25-11 with a favorable committee recommendation to the full council.
The committee chair adjourned the meeting.
