12/19/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M M M Commissioner Ginn asked if they had something on stealth towers, and Mr. Randall explained that not a lot of that has been done. He didn't have anything on that today, but there are a lot of creative things that can be done. Chairman Adams asked why it has taken so much time to happen, and Mr. Randall replied that technology takes time and money. Chairman Adams felt that technology comes with demand, and asked Mr. Randall if they would be willing to change the towers when the technology does come. Mr. Randall advised that they do that on a regular basis now. They are constantly doing antennae change -outs and tower lowerings. They are constantly evolving their system. Mr. Randall noted that the incentives referred to by staff would be a benefit to everybody because they would give the carriers the opportunity to get their sites where they need them and push them towards the areas that are less impacted. In turn, it gives the County more time to see how the actual system is going to build out. Basically, it gives them the opportunity to pick their priorities. Jeff sluggett, representing Nextel Communications and Sprint Spectrum, stressed that no wireless providers are in the business of constructing towers. He believed all the providers will try to share in the use of existing facilities. He suggested that instead of prohibiting a tower in any specific area, the County identify preferred areas and give incentives for those locations. Creating incentives such as a streamlined review process would guide towers into certain areas, which would benefit the County, the residents in the county, and the industry. Mr. Sluggett encouraged the Board to include incentives in their plan so that the carriers will be assured that if they follow the criteria, the incentive will be available to them. In answer to Commissioner Ginn's inquiry, Mr. sluggett advised that Nextel Communications initially is looking at 2 sites in Indian River County. They are considering leasing space on the American Tower Systems' site out west. Nextel is a new provider in the Florida market. He believed that Sprint has made a commitment to co -locate on 1-3 American Tower Systems' sites. They will need 10-16 shorter towers for infill. Commissioner Ginn asked Mr. Randall of AT&T Wireless if they plan to share their towers with other users, and Mr. Randall assured her they have plans to share with other users on 6 existing towers they have in this county. He explained that when AT&T Wireless went through the approval process, they voluntarily 17 8009.: DECEMBER 19, 1996 J