- March 12, 2025
In an effort to prevent encroachment of cellphone towers onto private residential properties, the city is establishing a setback distance, in addition to three other amendments to an ordinance.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
The city of Ormond Beach, after a few years working on an ordinance regarding cellphone towers, is making four amendments, in part, to head off any future disputes.
The City Commission, in 2007, approved an ordinance allowing for camouflaged cellphone towers to be built in residential areas, but no setback limits were established. The current commission is now set to vote, Oct. 30, to add setbacks on the second reading of the amendments.
Planning Director Ric Goss said the amendments are a result of trying to foresee, and prevent, future issues.
One of four proposed amendments, the other amendments to the ordinance are to include two “clean-ups,” which will eliminate tower redundancies, and an amendment allowing the city to hire a consultant when reviewing propagation studies presented by companies applying for a tower-installation permit.
The setback amendment states, “The base of a communication tower (must) be two feet away from a residential zone for every one foot of the structure’s height.” In other words, a 100-foot tower must be at least 200 feet away from the nearest residential structure.
All cellphone towers built in residential areas will still be required to be camouflaged.
At the heart of the amendment is an effort to balance the need to address gaps in cellphone coverage with preservation of residential areas, according to Goss. He added that increased use of cellphones and data plans makes tower placement an infrastructure issue, as well.
The ordinance was previously amended May 2012, by the City Commission, to require applicants to hold neighborhood meetings, demonstrate a proposed tower's height by floating a balloon from the location, provide simulated pictures of the proposed camouflaged tower and provide studies justifying the requested height.
The city’s ability to hire a consistent is meant to help city staff ask wireless carriers the right questions about methodology, mapping and study results.
The ordinance's first reading was passed at the Oct. 9 City Commission meeting.
The Planning Board voted 4-0 to recommend the City Commission approve the amendments.
