SC resort to streamline cell tower placement

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Hilton Head Island is taking steps to streamline how new cellphone towers can be built on the resort island.

The Island Packet reports ( http://bit.ly/KzZiSWT ) the town planning commission is recommending allowing cell towers to be placed on vacant land in a move that could trim approval time from nine months to only two or three.

Under the current rules, landowners must request a zoning change if a subdivision land use plan doesn’t allow towers. That’s a lengthy process that can take months.

Industry experts say wireless carriers aren’t spending money to upgrade service on the island because new towers take too long to get approved and existing regulations are too restrictive. The island has spotty service because it is flat and has lots of trees.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com