Officials in Ocean City, MD have been reworking the wording in their utilities permissions to shore up their leverage against cell tower installations, reports OC Today. The town is currently in a legal showdown with Crown Castle and is attempting to put itself in a more advantageous position.
Last year, Crown Castle proposed a handful of 30-foot poles aimed at providing reliable wireless coverage for both residents and an influx of summer visitors. While some residents were on record as welcoming the connectivity, opponents caught the ear of the City Council, arguing that aesthetics and ambience would be threatened by the project.
“They are completely out of character with the neighborhood,” said City Engineer and City Manager Designate, Terry McGean.
The City Council voted against Crown Castle, prompting the towerco to file lawsuits. McGean spoke with the source, noting that he thinks the original language was strong enough to support the town’s denial, but approved of the revised wording.
“The policy we had is perfectly acceptable,” said MGean. “But moving forward we thought it would be better … [to] enhance this, make language a little bit stronger, solidify everything.”
The revised wording added definitions to clarify who can install what in the rights-of-way. It also attempts to explain when a utility installation agreement is not necessary. Additional language attempts to limit the total number of cell towers throughout town by establishing spacing requirements between towers.
While not yet law, the revised ordinance wording was approved at the City Council’s first meeting, and will come up for a vote at a future session.
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