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We lost on ZTA 19-07. We are looking at all options.
MC4T.org's analysis of this cell tower bill.
For instance:
1) Bad for school students.
There are definitely intersections between schools issues and this wrong-headed ZTA. In addition to the equity issues, there are other compelling nexus issues. Large boxes can be put around bus stops.
2) Threats to Vision Zero – Very large ground mounted equipment gets placed next to the cell poles, and could impede safe passage for children to/from school (or at bus stops). This could happen at the time of initial deployments, or (as we’re seeing happening at a number of cell pole sites right now) it could happen at a later date with the facility expansions.
Executive Elrich has recommended a pause of consideration of ZTA 19-07, in part to explore requiring prioritizing deployments along high-speed, high-volume roadways, which would keep the cell poles off of neighborhood residential roadways where the Vision Zero Strategy says school bus stops should go.
The Montgomery County Public Schools [MCPS] school bus policy says that if children don’t have a safe walk to school, regardless of the distance, then they get bused. But where do the busing funds come from? Your taxes, not the cell pole deployment fees.
3) Diminished Property Taxes & Diminished School Revenues – Besides the added burdens upon the MCPS school transportation budget, this ZTA will result in cell pole facilities at close proximity to homes, and with such weak regulations that surrounding residential properties will likely experience reduced property values. Keep in mind, 45.9% of the County budget is derived from property taxes. And those taxes are a significant source of funding for the MCPS budget: 64.4%. Residents and public schools stand to lose with ZTA 19-07
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