The North Royalton City Council adopted legislation 6-0 at its July 19 meeting, issuing a cell phone tower antenna moratorium. Council President Larry Antoskiewicz affirmed the vote, as well as Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell, Ward 2 Councilman Gary Petrusky, Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw, Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck and Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris. In order to fill coverage gaps in dead spots, cell phone companies have begun placing antennas on utility poles in order to act as a booster. The city has begun a 120-day moratorium in the issuing of permits for these antennas, in order to research the technology.
Mayor Bob Stefanik said that the city had hired a technology consultant, John Sindyla, to research the situation, after new technology was introduced that allowed the cell phone companies to place a smaller booster unit on utility poles. There are a lot in North Royalton,” he said. The consultant is expected to also assist with updated regulations.
The legislation notes that the “City of North Royalton has established regulations for the orderly construction and placement and location of wireless communication facilities within its municipal borders.” The technological advances in the wireless communications industry has spurred changes to the city’s codified ordinances in order to keep pace with that technology.”
In order to give the consultant time enough to thoroughly research and assist with the regulations, as well as inform city officials and Council, a moratorium was necessary, which prohibits any permitting activity to place until the new regulations are discussed and approved.
Stefanik said that the city of Parma has already enacted this technological legislation in their community. “This is something we really have to take a good look at,” said Stefanik. “The moratorium will buy us time to do that.”
The current regulations regarding cell phone towers addresses such things as location, placement and aesthetics of the towers. It also collects a fee from wireless phone companies for the use of the towers. Stefanik said he expects that the new regulations would be similar.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer