High Wireless

Ever thought of using church steeples for wireless service? Members of the ISP-Wireless list discuss their thoughts and experiences.

[September 5, 2000]

On the ISP-Wireless list in August, DV asked,

"Has anyone approached a church for site space? They're usually way up on a hill, and a bell tower's a pretty neat place for antennas."

Two respondents noted that public awareness of such an installation could either be good or bad:

[JP offered] "If it's a sizable church, I suspect the church's voting on your proposal would be good publicity, and you might pick up customers in the process. News travels fast in a church; I don't know of any place faster!"

[BG recalled] "There was a big public outcry here in Orlando recently when a church tried to do it. Here's the article in the Orlando Sentinel:

"'Stealth' tower sets off alarms in Winter Park".

BM noted that churches may be free from zoning regulations:

"In most instances, church property is specially zoned because it's tax exempt. In New York, fire districts are exempt from zoning. They could build a 200' tall firehouse if they wanted to, and the local government couldn't do a thing. We have put up several towers on these properties without needing town approval."

But others contended that wireless providers can't get a free ride on the church's exemptions:

[T recounted] "We have a 120-foot tower two houses away from my home that was installed two years ago on church property. The church gets $750 a month in rent for it and the tower operator has a twenty-year lease. It was approved by our local zoning board for installation in a residential neighborhood, as all our city cell towers are."

[DL observed] "Last week in Northport, New York, the Northport Village Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing regarding OmniPoint's application to put antennas in the bell tower of the Methodist church on Main Street. There was no public opposition to the plan, but the Board reserved its final decision for two more weeks pending additional deliberation. So, at least in New York, churches do not seem to be exempt from zoning ordinances."

—End