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Wireless carriers and residents clash over proposed temporary tower rules
Summary
At a public hearing, telecom representatives urged adoption of ZTA 25-11 to create an expedited approval category for temporary telecommunications facilities; residents and public-safety advocates urged narrowing the qualifying reasons, restoring building-code review, stronger setbacks and public notice, and independent RF monitoring.
Catherine Katzin urged the council to reject ZTA 25-11 or substantially narrow it, saying the text as drafted is "overly broad" and would give Department of Permitting Services discretionary authority beyond its purview. "No cell towers whether temporary or otherwise should be allowed in residential zones as a limited use," Katzin said.
Industry representatives urged the council to adopt ZTA 25-11 to allow expedited, predictable approvals for temporary towers (for emergencies, major events, or when existing antennas are impaired). James Heo (Verizon Mid-Atlantic) told the council that delays in the absence of a temporary process have caused multi-year relocations of critical network infrastructure, a situation that can disrupt public-safety communications. Katie McEvoy (AT&T) also supported the ZTA and said a clear category for temporary facilities would help county response to emergencies, planned events and infrastructure maintenance.
Opponents focused on scope, process and health concerns. Susan Laban (longtime resident) warned that the proposal could permit towers up to 200 feet in residential areas with insufficient notice and urged harmonization with building-code permits. Theodora Scerrato raised radiological exposure concerns and cited the DC Circuit ruling that found the FCC had not adequately addressed long-term RF exposure; she urged independent compliance checks and transparent monitoring at schools and playgrounds.
The Planning Board representative had suggested a technical fix: the draft ZTA exempts building permits for towers 80 feet or less erected for up to 30 days, but remains silent on towers under 80 feet erected for longer than 30 days; the board recommended that such longer deployments still require building permits.
What’s next: A Planning, Housing, and Parks committee work session is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2025; written materials were due Sept. 29, 2025. The council did not vote on ZTA 25-11 during the hearing.
