Mobilitie’s quest to install equipment on an existing utility pole in the city of Payette has met some resistance from the City Council. Despite changing its original plan and meeting with the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission back in October, several city officials remain uncomfortable allowing the company to install wireless equipment in the public right-of-way, reports the Independent-Enterprise.
Originally, Mobilitie was going to construct a 72-foot small cell in the right-of-way, but altered that in hopes that it would garner more support from the City Council. Instead, the company proposed installing equipment on pre-existing poles owned by Idaho Power, a company with which Mobilitie already has an agreement.
That plan was met with skepticism from the City Council, specifically for two reasons, according to Councilor Craig Jensen—height and the nature of public rights-of-way. The city ordinance does not allow for a cell tower as high as the utility pole, and Jensen said rights-of-way should be used for utilities, telling Mobilitie “you’re not a benefit for everyone in town. You have your own clients.”
Some members were supportive of the plan due to Mobilitie’s agreement with Idaho Power, but other members cautioned the city’s agreement with the utility might not allow it to use the right-of-way for another private company’s equipment. As a result, despite Mobilitie’s request, the City Council did not take a vote on the proposal.
June 19, 2017
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