Located off the gulf coast side of Florida’s panhandle, Longboat Key is a barrier island town seeking to infuse its unique geography with better digital connectivity, according to YourObserver.com. The long narrow island limits potential cell tower sites. The town is currently weighing a Verizon Wireless proposal that would place nine 25 to 35-foot 4G cell poles at the north end of the island.
Fire Chief Paul Dezzi pointed out that 82.7 percent of the 911 calls that were placed in 2021 transmitted through a cell phone. He said that the island’s emergency personnel rely on wireless service to locate and assist those in need and spoke in favor of Verizon’s proposal.
Acting Police Chief George Turner agreed with Dezzi, noting, “I believe a cell-tower issue is an officer-safety issue for us.”
After meeting with some resistance last November, the Verizon proposal is back on the docket and under consideration by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board, according to YourObserver.com. Verizon used the down time to present more comprehensive information about why each tower site was selected. The explanation noted that the poles need to work as a unit and are affected by environmental factors and proximity to each other. Even some nearby window glass can alter a tower’s performance, stated Mike Murphy, director of operations for SMW Engineering Group.
“On the whole, getting the north end of the town adequate emergency connection and adequate service is an important thing to do,” said Planning and Zoning Board member Jay Plager, “And I give some deference to the technical people who have been up before us as to the fact that this was the best solution under the circumstances they came up with.”
Unswayed by the argument in favor of public safety, opponents aired concerns about cell tower aesthetics and phantom health concerns. The matter remains under discussion with the final decision now in the hands of the Longboat Key City Commission.
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