- HB 654 UPDATE -

Industry wireless bill tabled for "Interim study"


Thank you for your rapid response emails to state Delegates!!!


The House Economic Affairs Committee voted on March 8, 2019 to refer HB 654 for "interim study." Bills referred for interim study will receive no further action before the next session - meaning that HB 654 is effectively dead - at least for now.  MC4T actively opposed this bill that would have allowed State preemption of wireless zoning rules.


This follows hearing held by Chairman Dereck Davis on  February 21st. HB 654 carried the formal title of "Wireless Facilities - Installation and Regulation," but was commonly referred to in this latest legislative session as the "industry bill" reflecting its actual authorship.  Del. Davis introduced HB654 and was the ONLY sponsor of this bill. 


Judith Monroy in her front yard Santa Rosa, CA in January, 2018 with new ground-mounted equipment cabinet, radios bolted to utility pole plus antennas on top (not visible in photo.)  Read thefull story here.

This is what happens when wireless providers are allowed to install cell poles just 30 feet from residences with NO design requirements to minimize aesthetic impacts.  

North potomac

This 68' wireless facility with antennas on Brickyard Road was NEVER formally approved to be here. Readthe story (see page 15) on how on the County allowed this and four other cellpoles in Potomac to be  moved to "adjacent sites" in 2011 without public notice or public input.

Langley Park

This cell pole installed in 2011 along  Norbeck Road was supposed to be on opposite side of street within the utility distribution lines, but was moved. It is one of three cell poles in Norbeck area north of the ICC that were NEVER formally approved for their current sites. 

Every cell pole has a story

Together, we can speak up for our communities...


MC4T is fighting for fair, transparent and accurate regulation of cell poles and cell towers to minimize adverse impacts to surrounding land uses, respect the harmony and aesthetic character of our communities, and protect the the safety of all residents.

Join us!

The cell pole at right above was one of three installed in 2016 in North Potomac without first completing required conditional use hearings. 

Montgomery County Coalition for the Control of Cell Towers

This massive 57' cell pole installed in 2017 sits just 27' away from a four-story apartment block in Langley Park. It is one of three large cell poles within 900' radius that are placed very near apartments. Current County ordinance requires 60' setbacks from single and duplex residential units, but has just 10' minimum setbacks for cell poles installed on utility poles near apartment buildings. 

Norbeck

Last revised: March 6, 2018