The operators of Glades Road Self Storage in Boca Raton, Fla., are attempting to help local officials decide where to place a necessary emergency-communications tower and whether to build it as a single 400-foot structure or two shorter ones. Though the city and Palm Beach County officials appear to favor a shared plan for a single tower, the storage business has offered to donate part of its land for a 200-footer. The property already houses a 50-foot cell tower, according to the source.

The land was offered by Glades Road Principal Jeff Greenhawt, who’s also a vice president at Sunshine Wireless Co. Inc.

If officials decide to move forward on a single project, the city of Boca would pay about $3 million for the tower and the county would manage it, according to the source. The city recently voted in favor of pursuing the joint tower despite public requests for a delay. Those opposed to the collaboration have cited cost, light pollution and environmental issues as factors for concern.

The new tower or towers would be used exclusively for emergencies, the source reported. Any delay in building could negatively impact the community, according to deputy city manager George Brown. “It takes a year at least to build the tower, and a year-and-a-half [delay] would be detrimental to public safety,” he said during a recent meeting.

County commissioners are expected to review the matter on June 27.

Source:
WPTV, The Dilemma Over Proposed Emergency Communication Tower in West Boca Raton