03/11/2008: "Increased Cell Phone Coverage May Be Coming"

In March of 2005 Roger Crosby asked the then County Commissioners to revise cell tower regulations passed in1997. He came back in April of 2007, and now again in 2008 with the same request.

Crosby wants the County to allow cell phone antennas/transmitters to be attached to utility poles. This would allow greater coverage, perhaps complete coverage, through out San Juan County.

Crosby was elected to the OPALCO Board of Directors in1988, after having retired to Orcas from his previous position as Vice President and General Counsel for Burlington Northern, Inc. and he and OPALCO are not alone in the request for a revision to the Cellular Tower regulations.

The last two times that possible changes to the ordinance were discussed, Crosby’s request was supported by Sheriff Bill Cumming, Brendan Cowan of Emergency Management, the Fire Chiefs, and Public Works, all of whom stressed the changes should be made to increase their ability to communicate by use of cell phones.

The 2005 request failed to move the County to action, even after two work sessions were held, when no interest in changes were received from cell phone carriers.

The 2007 testimony did not fall on deaf ears. Councilman Rich Peterson noted recent requests the Council had received from County staff in health, and other emergency agencies, that their ability to communicate during winter storms was compromised when the tower on Mt. Constitution went down.

Councilman Rosenfeld said the problem also existed for boaters and residents due to a lack of cell phone reception on the Westside of San Juan Island, an international border, went they were unable to report suspicious activities.

It was also stressed any changes made would be made in response to governmental requests, and not simply to increase coverage for personal use, even thought that would be an additional benefit of making the changes.

The County Council members directed County Administrator Pete Rose to “meet with the Sheriff, Public Works, and the Emergency Manager” as to how to best proceed toward making appropriate revisions to the existing code.”

On Tuesday of last week (March 4,2008) the matter was back on the agenda, and County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord, Rodger Crosby, and Brenda Cowan reported progress had been made, and requested the Council give them some guidance on how to proceed in drafting changes that would allow utilization of utility poles by cellular providers.

Brendan Cowan suggested the Council form a citizens committee of stake holder to provide direction to the Council.

One of the changes requested is the dropping from the regulations a requirement that each request to use a pole requires a Conditional Use permit from the Community Development and Planning Department. (CD&PD).

Councilman Bob Myhr asked if the changes are made, are there any service providers that would take advantage of the changes. Brenda Cowan said that service providers had informed him that one thing that has prevented them from increasing coverage was the existing regulations; but cautioned that simply changing the regulations did not mean they would “rush in to increase the coverage.”

Councilman Rich Peterson said that he thought “the public would agree this is a problem we can solve.”

The Council asked the County Administrator to come back to them with his recommendations.