Preserve Orlando's Neighborhoods

Anthemnet Proposed Tower

On December 11, 2023, residents of Meridian Parks were notified that Anthemnet, in collaboration with Mattamy Homes, proposed erecting a massive 150-foot cell phone tower with armatures at coordinates N28.444932, W81.210124. This location sits less than 800 feet from the soon-to-open Innovation High School and 800 feet from homes within our cherished Meridian Parks neighborhood.

On December, 14, 2023, a community meeting, hastily organized with minimal notice to residents took place where concerns were raised by residents but not adequately addressed.

On January 7, 2024, a letter signed by over 100 Meridian Parks residents was dispatched to Anthemnet, expressing our collective objection to the proposed tower site and outlining our concerns. We requested additional information on the tower and proposed a collaborative effort to identify an alternative site. Regrettably, no follow-up communication or information was provided by Anthemnet.

On January 29, 2024, the City of Orlando received an application for the placement of a communications tower at the aforementioned site, further exacerbating the concerns of Meridian Parks residents.

On February 22, 2024, despite our efforts, confirmation from the Orange County Commissioners' office revealed that Anthemnet had not explored readily available alternate site locations, including areas near the landfill, pump station, and other county properties. This lack of engagement adds to our frustration and deepens our resolve to advocate for our community's well-being.

On February 27, 2024, the conditional use permit application was made available to residents with a tentative MPB hearing date of April 16, 2024. Shortly after we provided comments to the City of Orlando and requested they review our website.

On March 21, 2024, residents were informed the city was moving the Municipal Planning Board meeting from the tentative April 16th date to a no earlier than May 21st date such that city comments may be addressed by the applicant.

On April 1, 2024, we were informed the applicant defered the application to seek alternate sites and the MPB date was tentative for June 2024.

On May 23, 2024, we were informed case CUP2024-10001 is on hold until the applicant is ready to proceed and therefore this item will not be on the June MPB agenda. Considering this is a non-standard timetable for an application we requested the City of Orlando notify us if the application changes status.

The cell phone tower site is proposed on land designated as residential which is planned to be park and open space in the community master plan and concept documents. The cell tower will also be situated just over a mile from 2 other towers and a few hundred feet from trails, walkways, and homes designated in the community master plan for future construction.

Major Impacts and Considerations

The following are significant community and resident impacts and considerations supporting denial of any proposed cell tower at N28.444932, W81.210124:

Property Value and Tax Collection Impacts: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development classifies cell towers as "hazards and nuisances," leading to a documented decline in property interest and values for homes in close proximity. The presence of a cell tower near a property dramatically affects its desirability, given the concerns regarding aesthetics, safety, health, environmental impact, and the well-being of pets. Research suggests that the impact on property values can exceed 20%, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for homeowners, including reduced real estate tax collection. Numerous studies and examples highlight the adverse effects of cell tower placement on property interest and values, with potential decreases in value ranging from 2% to 35%. The applicant does not address resident concerns regarding impacts to property values and tax collection in their application, nor did they adequately address resident concerns at the December meeting.
Aesthetic Impacts: As made clear in the applicants photo simulation package, our simulations, and the images we present of like-kind towers in the Orlando area, the proposed 15-story cell tower in Meridian Parks is a significant threat to the natural beauty and aesthetic appeal of the community. The structure will have exposed elements within public view from various areas of the community. The structure, even if replaced with a simple monopole without external antennae, poses a disturbance to local wildlife and jeopardizes the harmonious ambiance that contributes to the desirability of the Meridian Park's living environment. The Concerns about the tower's visibility from every corner of the community raise issues of intrusion and a potential decline in premium aesthetic appeal. The towering structure is clearly inconsistent with the surrounding area and contradicts the City of Orlando Growth Management Plan's land use policies, compromising the neighborhood's identity. The proposed tower is both a compromise of aesthetics and a contradiction to the intentional design principles outlined in the master plan, threatening the unique character that makes the community special. Of note, is that 2 of the 3 applicant photo simulations have obvious obstructions in view of the tower and their simulations do not appear to account for the fact that many of the natural trees in the simulation foreground are in preserve space that lies 5-10 feet below grade of the nearby homes. Whereas, the tower will presumably be built on or above grade.
Community Impacts: The proposed cell tower site in Meridian Parks, currently designated as open space and park, threatens the community by depriving residents of a vital recreational area. The conversion of this space to a site with industrial/commercial equipment instead of recreation elements could lead to a decline in recreational opportunities, affecting both the physical and mental health of residents and diminishing spaces for communal gatherings. Preserving the site as an open space or park is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant community life. The applicant does not address resident concerns regarding community impacts in their application, nor was it addressed at the December meeting.
Lack of Need: Insufficient evidence exists to justify the need for a cell tower at the proposed site. Residents nearest to the proposed site, who are the farthest from existing towers, report no reception issues and oppose its installation. The applicant's "Engineering Necessity Case," FCC coverage maps, and Verizon coverage maps all indicate that the Starwood PD currently has at least the minimum required coverage throughout the property. Moreover, the applicant’s coverage analysis identifies the areas with least coverage at the county landfill site and the far Southeast corner of the Starwood PD, highlighting ideal placement of towers in those areas, particularly on the landfill and county pump station. Additionally, the presence of significant wildlife preservation land in the Starwood PD and the adjacent county landfill site indicates a lack of significant user demand. Furthermore, with high-speed internet readily available in all community homes, questions arise regarding the necessity of the proposed tower site. The suggested location fails to consider the current or future network needs, efficient distancing from existing towers, or more suitable alternative locations to the North, South, and East that could better fulfill network bandwidth needs, adequately space towers, and minimize long-term impacts on the community.
Alternate Site Availability: Based on review of the applicants conditional use permit application, the efforts to find an alternate cell tower site are unknown. The applicant failed to furnish any details regarding efforts to explore alternate site locations and therefore the application does not demonstrate that the applicant has made a full effort to evaluate the other available alternatives. Our investigation of alternate site availability revealed the applicant did not contact Orange County regarding several county owned sites in the area with available space. The Orange County Commissioners' office confirmed that Anthemnet neglected to inquire about availability of the numerous vacant county lands in the vicinity. However, the considerable vacant land in the neighboring area, particularly the county landfill, county pump operations site, or electric utility site could provide a less impactful location, aligning with wireless network needs. Further, the master plan includes a large commercial space to the East of the proposed site, a better fit for the tower and more consistent with other similar tower placements. Finally, there is an opportunity for strategic planning aimed at minimal impact yet high effectiveness in the deployment of cell tower sites within communities. These sites predominantly make use of readily available and undesirable public land.
City Governance: The applicant does not address any city ordinances or codes in their package or request waivers. The proposed cell tower's location will require the conversion of residential space to alternate space and subsequent to such conversion will remain within 450 feet of residential space. This raises significant concerns. Further, the proposed tower likely violates the Orlando Code of Ordinances and City Growth Management Plan policies. These regulations aim to ensure proper structure fit for the city area, promoting resident well-being and enjoyment. The planned tower's placement in a residential component of a Planned Development disregards minimum setbacks from building and poses risks to roads and trails used by residents, including children. Beyond regulatory considerations, the proximity may pose health and safety risks. Thorough assessment and addressing of these concerns are crucial to ensure adherence to regulations, policies, and the safety and enjoyment of affected residents.
Safety Risks: Cell phone towers present safety risks to communities, primarily due to the potential for fires and structural failures. Electrical malfunctions within the towers, such as wiring and batteries overheating, can lead to fires that spread quickly and endanger nearby structures and people. Additionally, factors like extreme weather and seismic activity can cause tower collapses, posing immediate danger and causing property damage. The applicant does not address resident concerns regarding safety risks in their application, nor did they adequately address resident concerns at the December meeting.
Health Impacts: It is understood that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA) essentially prevents the use of health concerns to solely deny telecommunication tower application denials. However, the TCA does not prevent the marketplace from considering health concerns as a factor in the desirability of a community or a given home. Numerous data sources suggest that cell tower emissions negatively affect human health. Some include surveys showing higher reports of health issues near cell towers, WHO classification of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic, and studies indicating clear evidence of tumor associations. Concerns are raised about FCC regulations, as they were established with limited data on tissue heating and did not address long-term exposure. Notable cases include health issues faced by individuals near cell towers and cell emissions, such as a lawyer requiring surgery for tumors and firefighters experiencing sickness and cognitive impairment after a tower's installation. It is also noted that an FCC response to a 2021 court order on the health effects at current emission regulation levels remains pending as of January 2024. Furthermore, the applicant's "Engineering Necessity Case" points to a WHO website page that states the following regarding to EMF exposure, "A number of epidemiological studies suggest small increases in risk of childhood leukemia", "some [...] health problems may be caused [...] by anxiety related to the presence of new technologies", and "Large-scale studies are currently underway in several countries and may help resolve [gaps in research related to EMF and cancer]." This clearly indicates the applicant agrees that the tower will negatively effect the health of residents and more information is needed to assess the effects of transmission towers on humans.
Nature and Pet Impacts: It is understood that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA) essentially prevents the use of emission concerns to solely deny telecommunication tower application denials. However, the TCA does not prevent the marketplace from considering emission concerns as a factor in the desirability of a community or a given home. Studies indicate that electromagnetic radiation from cell towers may harm plants, leading to growth abnormalities and leaf problems. Pets and wildlife are also affected, with evidence linking EMF exposure to increased risks like lymphoma in dogs and fertility issues in various species. Honey bees, crucial for pollination, may suffer communication disruptions. The applicant does not address resident concerns regarding Nature and Pets in their application.
Telecommunication Tower Application Denials: Legal cases demonstrate that cell tower applications can be denied based on various grounds, including but not limited to property value impacts, aesthetic concerns, safety risks, health impacts, and lack of need. These denials, when supported by substantial evidence, have been upheld in court rulings. Additionally, FCC regulations allow for small gaps or "dead spots" in cellular coverage, and local governments have the authority to regulate the placement of cell towers within their jurisdictions. They may consider factors such as aesthetics, compatibility with surrounding land uses, property values, and alternative sites. The burden of proof lies with the cellular provider to demonstrate the necessity of the proposed tower and the infeasibility of alternative locations. Denials of cell tower applications must be supported by substantial evidence and clear reasoning, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. In general, the law, including the TCA, supports the importance of local government oversight in balancing the need for cellular coverage with the preservation of community aesthetics, property values, and safety concerns. It is noted that the applicant's application is deficient in many critical areas and this website provides substantial evidence to support application denial.

Solutions

Rejection of Proposed Site: Given the impacts to property, aesthetics, use, residents, and the community, and a lack of documented critical need and a lack of documented efforts to find alternate sites and minimize community impacts, any proposal for use of the site at N28.444932, W81.210124 should to be denied!
Exploration of Alternatives: It is critical to explore alternative locations for the cell tower that would be more suitable for both the community and the cell phone provider, addressing concerns while meeting necessary requirements. Alternative locations are available to create an efficient strategic coverage map for the community that optimizes coverage and minimize impacts to residents.
Strategic Planning: Cell tower proposals in residential communities, near schools, and with a generally inefficient strategy is not going to stop. The community impact of more cell towers is both real and of significant concern. The Greater Orlando area, including district representatives and Mayors, need to develop a comprehensive strategy, including prudent policies and ordinances, that carefully balances the necessity of installing cell phone towers while safeguarding residents, residential areas, and communities from impacts in the long term.

Current Status

Local Action: The Meridian Parks community has taken proactive steps upon learning about the proposed cell tower. A collective effort resulted in the organization and submission of a letter expressing concerns to the tower applicant, Anthemnet. No response was received.
Application Submitted: The City of Orlando received an application for the placement of a communications tower at coordinates N28.444932, W81.210124.
Reviewing the Application: Members of the Meridian Parks community have reviewed the application and identified numerous deficiencies. Community members are contacting city planners to discuss our findings.
Need for Broader Support: Recognizing the potential impact beyond the immediate community, it's crucial to extend the objection to the proposed cell tower site. If approved, the proposal will impact the health of thousands of children annually, will impact the values of homes and therefore tax revenues, will impact the natural beauty of the community, and sets a precedent for similar approvals across Orlando.
Signing the Petition: We have established a petition to speak out against the proposed cell tower in Meridian Parks and ask leaders to reject the proposal and initiate action toward a long-term strategic plan for the greater Orlando area.
Emailing Decision Makers: We have developed templates and identified local leaders for you to send emails voicing your objection to the proposed cell tower and requesting action for long-term strategies that foster efficient placement of cell phone towers and minimize the unmanaged proliferation of cell towers across our communities.
Tracking Status: We have maintained contact with city planners regarding the current "on hold" status of the application. Because of the non-standard timetable and status of the application we have asked to be notified when the application changes state from "on-hold".

What You Can Do!