Pine Island — Transcript

Monday, October 5, 2026

Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site

Telecommunications Ordinance Revision

Votes (1)

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

No formal vote taken on the specific proposal; council expressed unanimous disinterest in the proposed Island Heights location. Further options and code development required.

Dissent: Council Member [00:09:43] explicitly stated, 'I would vote no,' and several other council members voiced strong opposition to the proposed Island Heights location.

Matt Kund, representing Verizon, presented a proposal for a 190-195 ft monopole cell tower on the Island Heights water tower site, citing the need to replace an existing tower on Walters's property that is set for decommissioning. He emphasized the aesthetic cleanliness of a monopole, a 40-year lease with city income, and the critical need for maintaining wireless coverage in Pine Island. Council members, however, universally rejected the proposed Island Heights location due to significant residential opposition, particularly given ongoing community tensions related to a data center. The City Attorney clarified that federal law mandates facilitating service availability, not necessarily tower approval, and questioned the applicant's assertion that carriers avoid municipal water towers. The discussion concluded with the city requesting alternative site proposals once the new telecommunications ordinance, currently under development, provides clearer guidelines.

Notable Quotes (5)

Um what we'd be talking about is leasing a piece of ground probably something like 40 foot by 40 foot up there, right around there. [...] This is just a really clean solution. It actually is something we pay to have on the property and we would do that. So there would be an income uh coming from us for allowing the tower on the property.

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

Um, I'm not opposed to the cell tower, but not in that location. That is directly, how do I put this? Um, well, you realize we're talking behind it, too. But I also know that the residents that live in that area will not take kindly to having something more in their neighborhood.

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

But to be clear, you um Elizabeth, you started by saying we understand that the telecom that the federal telecom law requires cities to permit towers. And that's it's a nuanced thing and this is a lawyer thing, but what actually what the law requires is that cities permit don't don't prevent don't prohibit don't get in the way of telecom services being available. We're not required to allow towers to go up.

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

I'm saying that tower is going it's it's likely going to be decommissioned in the next year.

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

So, I guess my suggestion would be if they want to pursue it still, find multiple solutions and bring us the options and what your anticipated model would be. based on the different locations might be a different type of towel.

Discussion of Proposed Cell Tower on Island Heights Site and Telecommunications Ordinance

Ordinances & Resolutions (2)

City CodeOrdinance

Current code that does not allow cell phone towers within city limits, undergoing revision.

Sample ordinancesOrdinance

Used by city staff and attorney as reference for drafting a new telecommunications ordinance.

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