Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wireless Regulations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge stricter cell‑tower rules; council opens wireless ordinance for first reading
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged Greenville County Council to tighten rules on wireless communications siting, citing surprise tower installations, property values and health concerns; the council introduced a wireless-communications ordinance for first reading.
Several residents used the appearances period to press the council for stronger local regulation of wireless facilities, including large new towers that speakers said have appeared near homes without adequate notice.
Frank Tamburello opened the topic during public comment by describing a representative scenario: “You come home from work one evening and find a new cell tower in your backyard…a 199.8 foot tall metal monster that has suddenly appeared mere feet from your rear property line,” he said, and asked council to support proposed local rules that would require homeowner notifications, public hearings, and reasonable setbacks.
Other commenters, including Douglas Allen, Angie Fisher and Susanna Saravia, cited health and environmental concerns about radio-frequency exposure and urged caution and more local oversight. In response, councilor McGahee presented the county’s wireless-communications ordinance for a first reading and left the item on the floor for further review and public input.
The ordinance will now undergo the standard 1st reading process; earlier public remarks and council discussion flagged notification procedures, setback distances and the possibility of formal public hearings as points for the ordinance and implementing rules to address.
