A New World of Telecommunications

A Story of Towers, mHz, and the FCC

What do you know about the Telecommunications Act of 1996? What do you do when a telecommunications firm tells you that it needs a telecommunications tower in an area that is not zoned for that use?

The session on telecommunications at the fall conference will answer both legal and practical planning questions about telecommunications. Anita Gallucci, attorney with Boardman, Suhr, Curry and Field, will review key provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and how it relates to Wisconsin planning law. Representatives of the telecommunications industry, Neal Palmer (Neal Palmer and Associates), Dick Oldenberg of Sprint Communications, and Tim Cohen of Gearon Communications, will discuss the technical requirements for siting and co-location of towers and other facilities and the process of working with firms to resolve siting problems. Public sector planners will also share their experiences--both positive and negative--in working with telecommunications firms.

Until technology makes its next great leap and giant towers become obsolete, planners and communities can expect to be involved in telecommunications in a variety of ways. Right now, land use conflicts between communication towers, radio frequency conflicts with local public safety agencies, and negotiations around co-location of facilities are at the top of the list. Planning for telecommunications infrastructure is becoming as basic to planners' roles as assuring adequate sewer and water facilities.

Recent issues of APA's Planning magazine have featured articles about telecommunications and planning (July 1997; December 1996). Other resources include an information packet available for $50 from the Planning Advisory Service, Implementing the New Telecommunications Law (1996, $19.95 for APA members through the Planner's Book Service) and Siting Cell Towers (1997, $16, also available through Planners Book Service.)