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Cell Towers At Schools Spur Vote

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 19, 2009

TAMPA - Schools that want to put up cell phone towers would have to hold two public hearings under land development code changes recommended Wednesday by the Hillsborough County Commission.

Commissioners voted unanimously to start the land code amendment process, which will take four months. The move was made in response to an outcry from parents who say the towers present a possible health risk to children.

Parents were especially incensed that principals are empowered to approve towers to generate money for their schools. Commissioner Rose Ferlita said public hearings will force principals to consider parents' opinions before approving the towers.

"I think what a lot of parents are concerned about is things going up and they're not included in the process," Ferlita said.

Mike Rothenburg, a leader of parents who oppose the towers, said the commission's action was a good start but that he and others want to see a ban on towers at schools.

Rothenburg and another tower opponent, Bill Cook, said a number of local governments across the country, including Los Angeles County, have prohibited cell towers from being built on school grounds.

If the land code changes are approved, it would reverse a commission action taken in 2008 that allows the school district to put the towers up at schools with 5 acres or more without a public hearing. The change was made despite opposition from the county's planning staff.

Commissioners changed their position, however, after parents from South Tampa protested plans to put a tower at Coleman Middle School. The commission asked the county school board for a moratorium on new towers until the land-use rules could be reviewed. The school board declined.

A dozen or so parents, wearing orange T-shirts that said "No Towers at Schools," attended the commission meeting. Several thanked commissioners for asking the school board to delay approving more towers and said they would hold school board members accountable at the polls for denying the request.

"We're a large voting block in South Tampa," said parent Julie Jenkins.

The Federal Communications Commission says the towers present no public health danger.

Opponents say there have been scientific studies that found the low-frequency radio frequencies emitted by the towers can build up in the human body and are especially dangerous to children because their bodies are developing.

In other business, commissioners decided not to put a measure on the ballot in 2010 requiring 60 percent voter approval to change the county charter. Instead, the issue will be considered by a charter review commission that commissioners will empanel late this summer. The commission can place charter amendments on the ballot if 10 of the 14 commission members vote in favor of it.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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