Palm Coast Needs Connectivity, But Twitchy About New Cell Towers

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“We need cell phone coverage. All of us know that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a call drop,” said Palm Coast City Council member Ed Danko in support of the plan to build two new cell towers. “I realize people don’t like cell phone towers in their neighborhood but they certainly like cell phone service.”

Herein lies the problem. The Florida community acknowledges dead spots that represent a safety concern, but as Flagler Live notes, residents are quick to complain when there is a possibility of spotting a new cell tower in the skyline. As previously reported by Inside Towers, opposition squashed the most recent plan that would have sited a cell tower within the grounds of the Palm Harbor Golf Course. 

Revised plans suggest two possible tower sites. The first location off Royal Palms Parkway in Town center, the other is just off Club House Drive – near the Palm Harbor Golf Course. Although there does not appear to be any push back regarding the Parkway site, there has been concern expressed on the alternate site.

Mayor David Alfin asked the Board if any other options were available. Council member John Fanbelli responded that all possible avenues had been explored. There is little open space available in the area. According to the source, Palm Coast earned $128,000 in cell tower income in 2021.

Plans for the less controversial Parkway location would accommodate up to four carriers with T-Mobile rumored to be poised to sign on. The city will receive $25,000 from Diamond Communications to develop this tower site, and earn 40 percent of carrier revenue.

“I’m also trying to weigh it against concerns that residents have with their quality of life,” Mayor Alfin, told Flagler Live, adding, “I don’t think we have the luxury of just not putting [up] a tower. I’m trying to find alternatives, but the sheriff has made it clear that there are areas–and this area is one of them–where his people are not safe, as Councilman Branquinho mentioned, because their service will drop out. That’s just unacceptable. So we will have to find a way forward from a public safety standpoint.” 

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