By Kevin Watson
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk on Tuesday urged quick passage of a bill that would allow government officials to control small wireless facility design guidelines.
Quirk said his plea was being made on behalf of the County Executive who wants to avoid problems with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“The FCC is forcing us to have it done in 60 days,” County Attorney Michael Field told council members. “If the bill isn’t passed in 60 days then we will be sunk.”
Field explained that if the bill isn’t passed in the designated days, then Baltimore County will not have a say in the placement, design or appearance of such small wireless devices as satellite dishes and cable equipment.
Milana Vayner, assistant county attorney, explained to the council why Bill 8-19 is being put in place. He said that according to the FCC, local governments must have qualifying requirements in place by April 15.
“We are in a box and there is a lot of work going into staying in the box,” Vayner said, “and it is hard. We don’t want to be here in this situation, but we are.”
As far as the devices and how they look, Vayner said, “We’ve looked at dozens of samples and we aren’t creating this from scratch.”
There is a limit on historical and environment view, Vayner added.
“Is this the team that is working on this and is it one agency or multiple?” asked Council Izzy Patoka, addressing 11 people who filled the front two rows at the session.
Vayner said multiple different agencies are working on the project, including those focused on traffic, law and Information Technology. There has been a lot of man hours going into this and a lot of hard work, Vayner said.
“I understand that BGE plays a role in this because they have the poles that the antennas would be placed on, and I was wondering if they have any amendments,” Councilman Todd K. Crandell asked.
BGE External Affairs official Ervin McDaniel said that the natural gas company did not have amendments and has reviewed the bill internally.
“My fear in terms of making this equipment look good is that they become obsolete,” Patoka said.
Patoka explained that sometimes when driving around, “you will see people with dish satellites on the top of their houses still and I’m worried once these devices get put up then become obsolete, will we just have towers there.”
“In terms of removing equipment in the bill,” Vayner said, “we have that if they aren’t using it, they will be removed at the company’s expense.”
Quirk asked about reactions or comments from Baltimore citizens who may want changes to the bill.
“We will see how this goes,” Quirk said, “and we will get this bill passed. We will see what amendments the people or companies want, if any, and get those addressed as well.”
Officials said that if the bill receives the votes it needs, it will take effect on April 14.