Juneau Assembly passes cell tower ordinance

The Juneau Assembly passes the cell tower ordinance on a vote of 7 to 2, with Assemblymen Jerry Nankervis and Randy Wanamaker voting no. (Photo by Lisa Phu/KTOO)
The Juneau Assembly passes the cell tower ordinance on a vote of 7 to 2, with Assemblymen Jerry Nankervis and Randy Wanamaker voting no. (Photo by Lisa Phu/KTOO)

After months of discussion and tweaking, the Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance last night that discourages big, obtrusive cell phone towers.

The ordinance establishes regulations for the placement, construction and modification of wireless communication facilities. It focuses largely on making cell towers visually unobtrusive by concealing its features and having them blend into their surroundings.

SueAnn Randall brings a balloon to the Assembly meeting to emphasize the importance of the balloon test in special use permit requirements. That section of the ordinance got put back in the version that passed. (Photo by Lisa Phu/KTOO)
SueAnn Randall brings a balloon to the Assembly meeting to emphasize the importance of the balloon test in special use permit requirements. That section of the ordinance got put back in the version that passed. (Photo by Lisa Phu/KTOO)

A lighted tower or one that requires lighting by the Federal Aviation Administration must get a more involved, special use permit from the city. The light must be low intensity and oriented, shielded or designed so it doesn’t project onto surrounding property.

The ordinance lets existing towers stay put, but any changes to them must comply with the new rules.

North Douglas residents again turned out to air grievances about the cell tower on Spuhn Island, which rises above the tree line and pulses red at night.

Assemblyman Jerry Nankervis objected to the ordinance, saying it was too restrictive. He said complaints from North Douglas residents are the cause for all the hoop jumping.

“I disagree with having to camouflage all the accoutrements – my word – that are around the base of a cell phone tower. Do we require anyone else to camouflage their building? I could paint my house coral with black stripes right now. I’m sure my neighbors wouldn’t like that at all, not to mention my wife. However, we don’t have anything saying I can’t do that,” Nankervis said.

Assemblyman Jesse Kiehl said the tight restrictions will only apply to a few towers.

“With this ordinance, the ones that really have the least impact on the way we live in Juneau are going to be pretty straightforward and pretty friendly to the folks who are in the business of providing more cell service. And it’s only a few that I think would have to go through the more difficult process because of their potential for a greater impact to our community,” Kiehl said.

Assemblywoman Karen Crane said the ordinance will hopefully prevent another Spuhn Island.

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