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Bonita Springs holds first reading on 149-foot 'monopine' wireless tower at Hunter Ridge; applicant says coverage is a public-safety need
Summary
At first reading and a quasi-judicial public hearing, the council heard from Diamond Communications on a proposal for a 149-foot monopine at Hunter Ridge. The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval; the matter was continued to second reading after resident questions about views, bird nesting, maintenance and removal provisions.
Bonita Springs City Council held a quasi‑judicial first reading and public hearing on a request to amend the Hunter Ridge Residential Plan Development to allow a 149‑foot monopine wireless facility at 12760 Fox Ridge Drive. Staff said the site is previously disturbed (maintenance compound and water tanks) and the city’s Planning & Zoning Board had unanimously recommended approval.
Mataniah John, representing Diamond Communications LLC, presented photo simulations, a site plan and an RF rationale showing the monopine sited on the maintenance parcel. John said the monopine is designed for collocation and that T‑Mobile and Verizon plan to be anchor tenants. He told council and residents the structure will be foliated to blend with canopy and will be built to local wind‑loading standards; he also said the company will follow maintenance schedules for refoliation and that lease provisions require removal if facilities are abandoned.
John framed the proposal as a public‑safety and coverage improvement, pointing to 911 statistics: "In 2021, Collier County over 83% of all 911 calls in Collier County were received from wireless numbers," and added, "reliable wireless service isn't a luxury. It's a necessity." Residents who spoke said reception on the Hunter Ridge corridor is poor during storms and hurricane events, raising safety concerns; Don Hupri, Hunter Ridge general manager, said lack of reception during hurricanes is a recurring problem.
Questions from council and neighbors ranged from sightlines and nearest house distances to bird nesting, gust‑wind design and eventual removal of obsolete towers. The applicant said monopines are frequently used as bird perches and that nests can restrict tower access during nesting season; he also described a crimp/fold point engineered into the design to limit hazards in a structural failure. Staff noted an FAA determination of "no hazard to air navigation" on file and that condition No. 4 in the draft ordinance addresses maintenance.
Because the item is a first reading and quasi‑judicial, the council did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting; the public comment record closed on the item and staff and the applicant will return for a second reading with an RF engineer and any requested refinements to maintenance or lease terms.
Next steps: the applicant will appear at second reading with engineering details and staff-recommended conditions; any formal adoption will occur after the second reading and required findings for a quasi‑judicial land‑use amendment.
