AT&T pulls Milton cell tower application
AT&T has pulled its application to erect a cell tower in Milton, a proposal that had stirred up a wave of local protest.
In a letter to the city Tuesday, the company said it plans to explore reconfiguring an existing tower on Batesville Road.
“This tells me there’s a better place for that tower than in the backyards of 200 homes,” said Vinnie Politan, who lives 210 feet from where the company had proposed to build on Birmingham Highway. “The good news is that residents, the City Council and mayor figured out what’s best for everybody.”
Milton has some of the strongest laws in the state regulating cell towers. At one time, the ordinance required an annual operating license fee of $1,000 per tower and antenna array. City officials backed off those fees after telecom companies filed suit against Liberty County, which had a similar ordinance.
Still intact are portions of the law governing the application process and policies regarding location and height of cell towers.
Resident Larry Aaronson welcomed AT&T’s decision.
“I understand that the city of Milton is also looking to co-locate their new 911 service at that site, so it appears that everyone benefits if the upgraded tower moves forward,” he said.
AT&T spokesman Bob Corney said the telecom company is working to provide the best service possible.
“With that in mind, we have requested a temporary deferral of this application pending ongoing conversations with the city of Milton,” he said.
