WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – 5G towers are becoming the latest growing pain for residents of Winter Springs, bringing faster internet but raising complaints about proximity to homes and property values.
Driving up to Frankie Perez’s home, a new 5G small cell tower can be seen looming over the property. Perez said the structure, which is just feet away from his backyard, intrudes on the neighborhood’s look and feels too close to houses.
“It’s an eyesore,“ said Perez, ”not quite the view I was thinking when I bought this house."
Another new tower stands directly behind more homes on Winter Springs Boulevard.
“That’s the smokestack tower,” said Hallie Johnson.
Johnson contacted News 6 after noticing small cell towers near her neighborhood.
“Would you buy a house with this in the background? I’m not sure I would”, Johnson said, ”Why not put it somewhere where it’s not gonna affect the homeowner’s property value?"
Johnson raised the issue during a Winter Springs City Commission meeting. Commissioners and residents learned there is little the city can do because of federal and state laws.
Leaders cited the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act, a Florida law that limits local control over where wireless providers can place small cell and other wireless facilities in public rights-of-way.
“It’s called home rule, and the state has taken it away for this reason, and I’m assuming it’s because everyone and their mother would be saying no to these,” Victoria Bruce, Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2, told News 6.
Under the law, the public does not have to be notified of the placement of the 5G towers.
As for the permitting process, under the statute, local government can request an alternate location for the tower within 14 days of the filing. The municipality and the wireless carrier can negotiate for 30 days.
The attorney for Winter Springs touched on this during a commission meeting, “If they (the carrier) say they’re not going to go, the city has to process the application within the maximum of 90 days from the date it was filed. There’s a shot clock to make all of this happen.”
Local governments can deny permit applications for a select number of reasons; if they are not ADA compliant, interfere with traffic signals or impede on the line of sight for drivers and pedestrians.
However, according to the city attorney, “if the city inappropriately denies one of these requests, the wireless provider has the ability to file suit in federal district court.”
A city spokesperson told News 6 that 14 permit applications for these 5G towers have been filed.
The cost of the installation and maintenance of these towers are paid for by the carrier, according to the city, but Bruce told News 6 if the city wants to relocate the already installed poles, the cost falls on taxpayers.
“It could be anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000,” said Bruce.
The city told News 6 that staff met with Verizon last week to discuss the relocation of any proposed towers, and those conversations are ongoing.
“As part of those conversations, we are actively exploring options to relocate proposed towers to areas that would have the least amount of impact on residents. Verizon has said that they will work with us to relocate these towers where feasible,” according to a city spokesperson.
As for future permits, city staff will review each application on a case-by-case basis.
“Moving forward, once the permit applications come in staff will reach out to Verizon to discuss about locations and how best to work together,” the city told News 6.
News 6 asked Verizon why it chooses certain locations to install these towers and if it would consider moving or modifying proposed and current installations. A Verizon spokesperson sent us this statement:
Verizon spokesperson
“We need the technology in our community right? We don’t want to fall behind,” said Johnson, “I think that growth is good. I think growth is good if it’s managed correctly.”
If you have any questions or concerns about the placement of the 5G towers, the city encourages residents to contact the city, their commissioner or state representative.