TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, Interim City Manager
DATE: March 15, 2017
Title
RESOLUTION - URGING ALL MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 687 AND SENATE BILL 596 WHICH PREEMPTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF TAXPAYER-OWNED RIGHTS OF WAY FOR “SMALL” OR “MICRO” WIRELESS ANTENNAS AND EQUIPMENT.
BACKGROUND: House Bill (HB) 687, filed by Representative La Rosa, and Senate Bill (SB) 596, filed by Senator Hutson, are designed to prohibit local governments from regulating “small” or “micro” wireless antennas and equipment on public structures or within right-of-way. The bills prohibit local governments from regulating anything except applicable building codes for this wireless infrastructure. If enacted into law, wireless communications providers and speculators will be able to ignore land development regulations, pedestrian movement, traffic view zones, traffic circulation as well as safety and aesthetic considerations.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
CONTACT PERSON: Adam Reichbach, Assistant to the City Manager
Douglas R. Gonzales, City Attorney