Telecommunications Towers Rules Still On Hold

Tuolumne County Supervisors have once again put off making a decision on new rules for telecommunications towers in the county. Officials have been working on the regulations for about a year and a half.

Many business owners believe the rules are too restrictive and ambiguous. Marty Miles of CPD Wireless told the board of supervisors that the regulations could lead to continued service gaps in cell phone service for many people in the county. Also, wireless Internet service providers are concerned that the rules may not allow them to serve large areas of the rural county.

Supervisor Paolo Maffei says the board€™s intent is very clear. He says “We´re trying to support the deployment of beneficial services while addressing the adverse impacts of sitting. What€™s the problem there?”

Among other things, the proposal would limit where towers can be built. Many residents have said they don´t want the structures near their homes. The regulations will also require that companies make a minimum $5,000 deposit in case the county ever had to maintain or remove the towers.

The board will re-visit the issue in May.