Pinellas board approves setback variance for Sunshine Utilities meter‑reading pole after neighbors raise concerns

The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved a variance on Aug. 8 allowing a communications pole and antenna to be installed at 93 Liberty Way in Palm Harbor to support advanced metering infrastructure proposed by Sunshine Utilities.

Staff described the request (VARDash24Dash15) as a height/setback variance: the pole itself is an aluminum, tapered pole approximately 40 feet tall with a mount and antenna that bring the total height to roughly 50 feet; because the proposed location is adjacent to residential property the applicant requested a reduced setback (the proposed setback was described on the record as about 21 feet, 9 inches). Staff recommended conditional approval, noting the applicant supplied an engineered, self‑collapsing design and that the pole would be used strictly for utility meter reading, not for collocation by cellular carriers.

Several residents asked questions and expressed concern that the application packet lacked visual renderings and clear location maps. Resident John Stone, who said he lives nearby, told the board he was "mystified by some of the lack of information" and asked whether previous installations exist in Pinellas County and how the equipment has affected rates and service. Stone said he had submitted photos and said he would not want "that tower sitting right in front of your house" if approved.

An applicant representative, Bridal Pierce, and a Sunshine Utilities representative, Adam Goll, replied to questions in rebuttal. Goll said the pole and antenna are intended to enable continuous consumption readings, allowing customers and the utility to detect leaks sooner than monthly reads; he described a typical detection radius for the proposed installation as roughly a mile depending on height and siting. "We're constantly on that street," Goll said, noting the company already operates infrastructure at the site and that the location was chosen to minimize the need for additional poles. The applicant also said the pole is engineered to fail inward if sustained winds exceed roughly 160 miles per hour.

Board members and staff discussed whether the proposal should be processed as a variance rather than a different review type; staff explained the request is for a height variance because the communication use is otherwise allowed in the zoning district. Questions remained on the record about the exact engineered "break point" on the pole; the applicant said it would consult engineers and provide that detail if needed.

After closing the public portion, a board member moved to approve the variance in accordance with staff findings; the motion received a second and the board voted to approve the request. The public record shows multiple audience speakers asked questions but did not block final approval.

Next steps: staff will complete any required conditions identified in the staff report and the applicant will address technical clarifications (for example, the precise break point location) as part of permit processing.