The rollout of 5G has been a years-long subject of debate and discussion in Montgomery County, MD. However, as Bethesda Magazine reports, council members are now aligned in favor of taking action to address connectivity issues. At its most recent meeting, most members of the Montgomery County Council expressed their support for a zoning amendment that would allow the placement of 5G antennas in residential neighborhoods.
“This zoning change is really about whether Montgomery County, which is one of the leading scientific counties in the world, will embrace technology,” said Committee Chair, Hans Riemer.
The amendment includes several key points, starting with a change in setback allowances from 60 to 40 feet. The second point would streamline the conditional use process for setbacks less than 30 feet. A public hearing would still be held to permit neighbors to air their placement concerns. However, an appeal would now route directly to the county’s circuit court, bypassing the Board of Appeals. Thirdly, “a waiver and objection” process would be incorporated to notify property owners within 300 feet of a proposed antenna that an installation is being considered. And lastly, the amendment would recognize that 5G does not travel over great distances, requiring antennas to be placed no more than 150-feet apart.
Riemer urged his fellow council members to act decisively to get the county connected, a process that would also create jobs. While some council members pointed to claims about health problems stemming from RF exposure, a concern that continues to be debunked by the World Health Organization, there was still an acknowledgement that no one in the Maryland community should be left unconnected.
“This [5G] isn’t some pie-in-the-sky ideology,” Councilmember Craig Rice told Bethesda Magazine. “This is something that is before us right now. And if we don’t move, and if we don’t ensure that our residents have that option for connectivity, we are doing a disservice to our residents.”
Councilmember Sidney Katz, continued to express health concerns and added that the agricultural regions of Montgomery County did not receive enough attention. While she did not deny some reservations, Councilmember Nancy Navarro noted, “The ones that will suffer the most, if we are not serious about opportunities or providing access to opportunities, will undoubtedly be a lot of our low-income residents … [and] many of them are people of color.”
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