Florida has encountered more push back in Pensacola. As WEAR-TV reports, residents there say that small cell poles have been popping up without warning, and far too close to their homes. In response, they have engaged New York telecommunications lawyer Andrew Campanelli.
Campanelli is reviewing city ordinances and measuring them against Senate Bill 1000, state legislation that frequently overrides local input on cell tower advancement. “Unless your local governments can enact an ordinance where the local boards control where [the 5G poles] go, every day my phone rings and somebody wakes up and tells me ‘There’s a new cell facility 20 feet outside my daughter’s bedroom window,’” Campanelli told WEAR-TV.
So far, Campanelli’s research has generated a 45 page memo of suggestions. While not all of them may be viable, he has worked to identify situations where residents may have some traction. “These laws serve no purpose other than to strip the power of local governments to protect their citizens against the irresponsible placement of these wireless facilities,” Campanelli said.
An official response may not be enough for residents like Phyllis Bardin, who says she awoke to find a 5G pole right outside her front door. “It’s the first thing you see,” she said. “It’s almost like an invasion, and it’s an eyesore, and the equipment is not even up yet.” Bardin added that trying to get help from a government official has been a frustrating ordeal. “They’ve been pretty much unresponsive to everything. They say their hands are tied by state law and leave it at that.”
Campanelli sent his lengthy ordinance analysis to Pensacola City Council this week and is awaiting a response. He said the best thing residents can do to help themselves is call their state legislator and ask that Senate Bill 1000 be amended or repealed.
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