Objections to Amelia Island cell tower placement aired at Golf Club of Amelia

Susan Hardee Steger
December 15, 2016 6:50 p.m.

Attorney Gary Hunter, John Collins, director of operations for NexTowers and Mack Shuman, radio frequency engineer for T-Mobile, heard from a gathering of approximately 100 residents at The Golf Club of Amelia Clubhouse who voiced strong opposition to construction plans for a 130 foot cell tower in the maintenance yard of The Golf Club of Amelia (GCA). The presentation was interrupted numerous times with pointed questions from homeowners who oppose the proposed cell tower location.

Many attendees believed the quest for the tower was driven by the Ritz Carlton but Attorney Hunter denied that was the case. According to information contained in the application placed before Nassau County’s Conditional Use and Variance Board, the Ritz Carlton will benefit from improved coverage.

“The primary objectives of this project are to provide new and enhanced coverage to the northern end of Amelia Island, and particularly to the Ritz Carlton and surrounding home [homes] near and around the Golf Club of Amelia Island.”

After viewing a slide showing lack of service for T-Mobile customers, an audience member asked for a show of hands of individuals in attendance who use T-Mobile as a cell provider. The only one to raise his hand was the resident who lives closest to the proposed site and said he receives good signals inside and outside of his home. His comment drew laughter.

Two letters of support for the project enclosed in the conditional use and variance application were from the Ritz Carlton and the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance.

“Having [the cell tower] in place would definitely improve our guest satisfaction scores as “lack of cell service” is currently one of our top five defects as rated by our guests in our surveys. In this day and age, having good cell reception is a basic expectations of our guests. Especially, our luxury customers, as they are well traveled and never have this issue at other locations,” wrote Walt Weist, Ritz Carlton Hotel Manager.

“During our annual event, cell service is very limited and inconsistent. The installation of a cell tower would significantly improve cell service and enhance the overall experience for our patrons and residents,” wrote Bill Warner, Founder & Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance.

There were no letters of support from area homeowners.

Two nearby multistory building rooftops were first explored to improve signals, according to Shuman. Carlton Dunes, a high rise condo adjacent to the Ritz Carlton, allowed T-Mobile to test its equipment on the facility as long as the equipment was placed below the parapet that hides existing roof top equipment. The test failed to provide an adequate signals.

In T-Mobile’s attempt to place equipment on the seven story Amelia Surf & Racquet Club, Shuman told the audience “the landlord declined.”

When contacted by the Fernandina Observer, Peter Malloy, property manager of the seven story Amelia Island Surf & Racquet Club recalled T-Mobile tested its equipment on the roof top over a year ago and presented an offer to the Homeowners Association Board. Malloy believes the visual impact was a concern but in the end the parties simply could not agree on terms. Malloy was not aware of any recent attempt by T-Mobile to gain access for testing purposes or to reopen discussions.

Asked if the Ritz Carlton was approached to provide a location, Attorney Hunter said he did “not know the answer. It must have been or else we would not be going forward to this [proposed] site. As far as the roof is concerned, we will absolutely [need to] show that’s not a viable option.” If there is a viable rooftop, we can’t [construct] a tower. That is a fact of the code. If an antenna will fit on a rooftop there is no reason for the building owner not to let you on the rooftop. It is an income source for them,” said Hunter.

In response to a question as to whether the rooftop of the Ritz Carlton is a viable option, Hunter said, “It will need to be evaluated and does not have the data to say if it is or isn’t a viable option. I think the way the roof is designed you can’t be on the [Ritz] roof top.”

Representatives indicated 23 trees will be removed should the cell tower construction goes forward.  Diana Herman, of the Amelia Island Tree Conservancy, spoke of the continued decline of Amelia Island’s tree canopy and encouraged attendees to voice their concerns.

NexTowers negotiated an option agreement to place the tower in the GCA maintenance yard with “Concert Amelia,” owners of GCA and who are registered with the State of Florida as a foreign limited liability company which reports its current principal place of business as Newport Coast, California.

NetTower representative Collins said they have recorded the concerns expressed, and  and will address them, “as best we can.”

A Homeowners Association representative said, Nassau County has hired City Scape Consultants to review the proposal and offer a third party opinion.

On January 26, 2017, the Nassau County’s Conditional Use and Variance Board will have final say over the cell tower decision.  The board will consider criteria including the impact of a cell tower on property values, and if all other viable options were considered.