Politics & Government
Oxford City Council Opposes AT&T 'End Run' On Cell Tower Plans
Oxford City Council says AT&T effort impends local decision-making.
BY DARICE CHAPEL
Miami University journalism student
Oxford City Council last week took a pre-emptive swipe at AT&T, aiming to preserve the city's control over what are called "small-cell towers."
But the city -- and every other Ohio jurisdiction -- lost that control the next day as the Ohio House passed a messy bill that gave AT&T what it wanted.
Senate Bill 331 -- dubbed "the Christmas Tree bill" by the Ohio Municipal League -- won House approval on Wednesday as the Ohio Legislature ended its lame-duck session. The Ohio Senate passed its version of the bill in May.
Find out what's happening in Oxford-Miami Universityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A day earlier, at its Dec. 6 meeting, Oxford City Council passed a resolution opposing AT&T's plan to ban local control over the towers.
"Blanket legislation eliminating local control is not warranted," Council's resolution said, calling it an "end run" on local governments that favor the small cell towers.
Find out what's happening in Oxford-Miami Universityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Oxford earlier this fall passed a bill to allow for the towers in public right-of-ways. The new law provides an informal administrative process to consider tower installations, City Manager Doug Elliott explained. "So we don't feel that a state-wide blanket legislation is necessary," he said.
Council member Steve Dana called AT&T's plans "an assault on municipal home rule."
"This raises security concerns and could lead to multiple companies placing multiple poles within the right of way," he added.
Other Council members echoed that sentiment.
"If anyone catches wind of any threats to home rule in any legislation that gets proposed, I would love to hear about it because it seems counter-productive to have home rule, and then have various entities try to chip away at home rule for individual gain," Council member Glenn Ellerbe said.
In addition to allowing AT&T an expanded role in small cell tower issues, SB331 addresses pet ownership, beastiality, and minimum wages. The bill awaits the governor's signature.
Photo: City Council members discuss AT&T's plans. -- Photo by Darice Chapel