Two more cell towers will rise over Palm Coast to add to the seven existing ones as the Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved leasing two city-owned land parcels.
One is at the future Fire Station 22 on the north side of Palm Coast Parkway near Colbert Lane–the station is under construction–the other is at 50 Citation Boulevard, co-located with the city’s Water Treatment Plant #2.
“I think this is a business-friendly necessity. It’s an economic development-friendly necessity,” Council member Theresa Pontieri said. “It’s also a safety issue as well. We can’t afford people to not have cell service in an emergency. And I know even driving, if I take Colbert to the beach, I drop cell service for a period there.”
Pontieri had fought against a proposed cell tower on Club House Drive. “ So this is frustrating for me, because we need cell service in this area, and it feels like we have a lose-lose from every direction,” she said, especially with its current planned location placing it near the Palm Harbor golf course. She suggested moving it further away from the course.
But cell infrastructure will eventually be not just a necessity, but the only choice. In December, AT&T announced that it would end all landline service by 2029 across the country as its copper lines age out and replacement is no longer cost-effective. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, and based on a late 2023 survey, 75.2 percent of American adults used only cell phones, though that proportion falls significantly for Americans 65 and over: 54.6 percent. In Palm Coast, 30 percent of the population is 65 and over, according to the Census Bureau.
Two carriers are interested in the fire station location. Darlene Shelley, speaking on behalf of Celia Pugliese (one of the residents who led the successful opposition to two previous cell tower locations), cited the opposition of the International Association of Fire Fighters to co-locating cell towers with fire stations as a reason not to build near Colbert.
The IAFF took that position in 2004, before the advent of the 5G technology Shelley said causes cancer, a contention the National Cancer Institute contests, though the matter is far from settled, even from the American Cancer Society’s point of view. Some firefighters in various places continue to oppose the towers near their stations, but not often.
“I’m just wondering, since when is the city in the business of making money from companies rather than being in business to protect the residents that live here and pay taxes,” Shelley asked. Another resident called the proposed tower “another eyesore” in her backyard, a property where she’s lived since before incorporation, the first one being the new fire station. “If this was Palm Coast 27 years ago, I’d have moved somewhere else,” she said.
Another resident, Joe Runac, called the city’s Wireless Master Plan “outdated” (the city updated it months ago) but he was echoing the conclusion of the American Cancer Society when he said: “No one can tell me definitively that these are not, do not cause injury. No one either way, one way or the other.” He wants the proposed tower at the fire station to be the “third strike.” He was alluding to two previous proposals not far from there that failed.
Still, opposition was limited to a handful of residents and could create a disproportionate and false impression of broader opposition. One resident with experience in siting towers spoke in favor, including the siting at the fire station.
In 2016, the city hired Diamond Towers to develop a Wireless Master Plan, which the council adopted in 2018. It was the first such plan in the city’s history. It loosened rules regulating tower heights and locations in hopes of improving cell coverage across town and to map out cell tower locations to avoid surprises.
It worked out that way to some extent, but not as much as the city hoped: in some cases, as when Diamond projected a tower on the grounds of the Palm Harbor Golf Club, and again when it projected one on Club House Drive, opposition was so fierce (and litigious, in the case of the Palm Harbor tower) that those plans were halted.
Still, the master plan focused potential sites on publicly owned land, and gave Diamond the first right to build on the 10 locations it identified, including some on public school properties. It built three: one behind the Southern Recreation Center, one near Heroes Memorial Park to improve coverage around Palm Coast Parkway, and one at Fire Station 24 in the Nordic reaches of the F Section.
There was never much love from the School Board. There are seven cell towers in the city today. (See the list and the towers’ operators here.)
Last March the council adopted an updated Wireless Master Plan. That one added 10 locations, for a total of 17. (See the list of the 10 new locations here.) It also changed criteria. Only city properties are included. School properties were eliminated. Need alone is no longer a criteria. Availability is. Significantly, the update gives the city manager the authority to remove site from the plan, but not add any to it.
The authority’s purpose is made clear by the history of Palm Harbor and Club House Drive. With that authority, the city manager can conduct an internal analysis, gauge public sentiment, and spare the council the political fallout of going through combative hearings only for a site to fall through.
The fire station lease is with Diamond Tower, the Citation Boulevard lease is with Wireless Edge Towers. Each company will build its tower at its own expense. The city will earn a one-time permitting fee of $50,000 from Diamond then 40 percent of the sublease revenue from the first telecommunication company that hooks to the tower, and 50 percent of the revenue for each additional telecommunication company.
The terms with Wireless are different: $20,000 at permitting, then $5,000 after a carrier hooks in, plus either the totality of the subleasing fees generated by that carrier or, if there are more than one carrier, 50 percent of all subleasing fees–whichever is the greater amount.
Brian Riehle says
The reason there was so little opposition to this tower at yesterdays meeting is because almost nobody in our neighborhood knew anything about it. What the hell happened to those “Notice of Public Meeting” posters that have always been plastered around town when there was a pending issue with a property change proposal ?
The Fire Chief was recently knocking on doors in our neighborhood, an appreciated gesture, assuring us that the Fire Dept. was going to be a good neighbor, but there was never any attempts by the City to warn us about a cell tower, or give the residents of our neighborhood. There will be just as many homeowners affected by the Tower at the Fire Station as would have been if it had been located at the original proposed site on Club House Drive. I hope Fire Fighters Union takes the City to Court over this because regardless of the uncertainty of living near a Tower, there’s probably not much dispute about living directly under one.
Darlene Shelley says
Another poor decision by the city council that has the potential to have a negative impact on the safety, health, and welfare of the local residents. Not worth the unknown risks to our hero firefighters, our children, and our families.
Wheres the money says
This city is always recieving extra revenue from all these various sources ……….. but they don’t have any money. …… where does it go ??
NOT ROADS
NOT WATER
NOT A TRAFFIC PLAN
Mike P says
I live near the new Fire Station#22 and welcome both the new Fire Station and the cell tower. Reception in the C section is very poor, and yes, driving on Colbert to 100 or Roberts Rd is a blackout area for cell phone reception. This is both an inconvenience and dangerous in an emergency.
Skibum says
Darlene Shelley’s comment alludes to the “unknown risks” associated with cell towers, but after years of scientific research there remains no facts to support any conclusion that having a home or business near a cell tower results in an elevated risk of people developing cancer. This conspiracy theory is no different than a similar one that suggested holding and talking on a cell phone close to your ear would cause brain cancer. Both of these falsehoods are debunked on the Snopes.com factcheck website.
celia pugliese says
This approval pushed by city staff to a yesser council is a total negation to the pleads and so late in the meeting over 9,30 PM by fragile elderly residents ladies and Joe Runac, Darlene Shelley and Jeani Duarte that represented hundreds of affected opposed residents of Courtney Pl and Ct also in Lake Forest and the Fairways associations. What businesses affected as this tower is to cover Colbert Lane South of the PC Parkway all those affluent HOA’s including Palm Coast Plantation were the city chief planner and the county manager reside last known. If they need better reception there they need the tower in Grahamp Swamp nearby, that will cover all Colbert lane and not in PC Parkway among many homes too close to be safe. Maybe the IFA should be called as this location is a violation of their 2004 resolution: https://www.iaff.org/cell-tower-radiation/ or also contact the Feds for Palm Coast children forced exposure as now :
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/historic-win-childrens-health-defense-104300251.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/kennedy-cell-phone-bans-schools-rcna197347
How come the fire chief visiting Courtney Lane as described above while disclosing the new good neighbor Fire Station 22 didn’t inform the affected neighbors that he cordially visited, about the cell tower planned there by staff? This approval is forcing an elderly fragile Palmcoaster resident of well over 25 years to try and sell her home before tower up and with the realistic loss of value over it. What a heartless council unanimous vote undermining potentially the health, quality of life and value of the homes of all the residential area too close to this tower! Those that are staunch believers of 5G no harm I will remind them of our convincing, handsome, debonair Marlboro man who’s influence cost millions of lives, his own and my three younger siblings!
Finally - a great decision says
For those complaining about safety, not sure how much you can guarantee safety when you don’t have cell coverage. If you’re having an emergency, how are you going to call for help? For those complaining about a tower being an eyesore, last time I checked, electric power lines, stop signs, traffic lights are all eyesores, but some how we’ve found they are needed and have lived with them. Also, what are we supposed to do in a couple of years when landlines are eliminated? For those complaining about unsubstantiated claims of cancer, so do you protest against the use of fertilizer & bug poison all your neighbors use which gets into our water & our wildlife? Doubt it. Do you complain about the larger electrical wires that run across town? Of course not. That’s pretty much the same exposure. Your opinion does not make for fact.
It’s about time Palm Coast got with the times & made a decision based on fact and true needs of the city. And yes I am a long standing city. My family has been here more than 40 years and I still think this is the right decision.
Dusty says
See how it is very hard to get a signal around where I 95 and FL 100 that is a great idea.
Pig Farmer says
NIMBY is strong in Palm Coast. I support the new towers. We actually need more of them. Cell service is terrible in several areas around the town.
David S says
Radiofrequency (RF) energy from wireless devices and networks, including radiofrequencies used by 5G, have not been shown to cause health problems, according to the international scientific community. To cite one example, the Food and Drug Administration said, “Based on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation, the available epidemiological and cancer incidence data continues to support the Agency’s determination that there are no quantifiable adverse health effects in humans caused by exposures at or under the current cell phone exposure limits.”
JC says
People complaining about cell towers and “safety” are the ones who are most likely still using landlines for their phones. Soon they will be no more landlines and the future people are using cell phones. Get on with the program already since cell service isn’t that great here to begin with. The cancer/health scare regarding possible cancer is 100% overblown and fear mongering.
Jay Tomm says
You all oppose yet bish about crappy cell service in PC & Flagler…….
I remember when the tower was proposed to be built on FPD. OMG the outrage by the old folks!
LOL
Vincent Maccherone says
Wow 15 years later and we’re getting phone towers. I would say congratulations but Palm Coast is living like it’s the “good ole days” for way to long now
VayKay says
Facing no opposition to this new development planned in secret. Unabashed corruption. I can’t wait for the mayor to get back from vacation, if it was for this team of commissioners run by an unelected politician it would have been a fuel depot on top of our fire department be came back to instead of a 5g tower
Roger says
Way too close to the public! These towers omit all kinda of harmful radiation and dangerous electromagnetic issues. Everyone will be getting cancer diagnoses in 3 years!
Skibum says
Celia, sorry but anyone who continues to push this debunked craziness that radiation from cell phone towers is killing people, all without scientific evidence showing that claim is true, should be prefacing their fairy tales with “Once upon a time” and ending with “… and they all lived happily ever after.” And I would be willing to bet any amount of money that every one of these folks yelling this nonsense own and use a cell phone themself, LOL!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
My heart goes out to Celia. Darlene and all of you who are struggling with the ever growing disregard for your health, welfare and safety. I am shocked at Teresha and Dave Sullivan – totally shocked! They should know that they are responsible first and foremost to the citizens who PAY them and who ELECTED them to care about ‘ we the people’.
I have no proof at all but I convinced that cold hard cash in the form of big future campaign contributions or a cruise to Italy somewhere has been made because in my opinion no sane official would vote for these egregious towers as proposed otherwise. No proof but I am not stupid and neither are the citizens.
Time to get the media involved – 60 minutes would be nice…. Flagler County most corrupt county in Florida in my opinion once again.
Willy James says
The solution for those living in the electromagnetic fields of the new cell tower has been addressed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). All residents within the range of the electromagnetic pulses and RF energy bursts will receive aluminum foil hats (to wear at all times)! The City of Palm Coast provides for free! And here’s the best part… some hats will be shaped to resemble the beloved Marlboro Man!
Pig Farmer says
The amount of ignorance on display is amazing! Anyone think cellphone towers are the only emitters of EMF? Microwave ovens, laptops, smart TVs, wifi routers, wireless speakers, game consoles, baby monitors, refrigerators, hearing aids, smart watches, car key fobs, garage door openers, the list goes on and on! Either live in a cave without power or quit this scare mongering and get on with your life.
Laurel says
Put up the towers. Reception in this county sucks.
Stump Jumper says
Now that they are approved, it’ll probably be 3-4 years before they are built and go live. Still waiting on the new tower to be built at Town Center and Royal Palms. It was approved last year. This is the worst city for cell service. Not to mention that Palm Coast charges $3,500 for any tower work ex. antenna upgrades, new carrier installations etc. that’s why the carriers don’t want to set up towers here. Not even going to mention the loony NIMBY’s that fight any type of towers being built, meanwhile they sit next to their wifi modems.
celia pugliese says
Skibum; debunked craziness is what you and many display here by saying that there are dropped calls and no communication in this county because more towers needed and most of that is a lie as a resident friend of mine that resides in the C section canal front near Clubfield and myself here off Clubhouse Drive held a 1.45 minute conversation without dropping the call neither once! Her carrier is Patriot, mine is Verizon and we were connected and chatting to see if our call dropped to debunk all of the lies. She drove from her C section home all the way Clubhouse Drive, PC Parkway , Colbert Lane south to 100 and drove 100 north and south few blocks off Colbert Lane and back all the same way passing Palm Coast Plantation and Grand Haven back and forth to the new Fire Station 22 cosntruction and we were all the time in our phones with NO DROP CALLS. By the way in the Fire Station 22 she learned that the Fire Chief dormitory will be 60 feet of the 5 G cell tower. Meanwhile the IFA resolution of 2004 and ratified in 2024 and still in place says: https://www.iaff.org/cell-tower-radiation/#:~:text=The%20International%20Association%20of%20Fire,the%20conduction%20of%20cell%20phone
To debunk all the many lies about dropped calls in C section, Palm Harbor sections and all along Colbert Lane and Rte 100 now we are going to do the same trip with more witnesses in the car vedioing all the way with sound, to prove even malfeasant and the fact the NIMBY’s are those resideing off trendy Colbert Lane that do not want the eyesore tower near them but stick it to us here in the middle of our residential zones or in the adjacent Palm Coast Pkwy to serve them. 4 miles south in Colbert Lane. There is plenty vacant land in Graham Swamp and even if is county owned they can donate a small pad for this tower as they use already one site for the one installed off Colbert Ln south of G. Haven and nicely tucked away from GH can only be seeing driving north and a safe distance from any of their homes! That is a good location for their NIMBY! Do yourself a favor stop the Kool-Aid and the lies!