Leesburg commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance Monday night that clears the way for cell phone towers in The Villages portion of the city.
The ordinance amends the West Lake Chapter 163 agreement that was approved in February to also allow antennas and other communication towers. It deems the 1,127-acre parcel that will contain about 2,800 homes as “suitable for cell tower uses because the location, design and construction of cell towers would be compatible with surrounding uses and would require similar buffering requirements from neighboring uses.”
At least one similar tower has caused consternation with Villagers in the past. In August, a three-story monopole off Bonita Boulevard raised the ire of several residents. The Villages won approval for the 190-foot-tall structure – one resident labeled it as “practically in our backyard” – from Sumter County and the applicant for the permit was NexTower Development Group LLC.
The Chapter 163 agreement amendment also contains a revised legal description of the land The Villages is purchasing from Leesburg – a 1,127-acre parcel north of County Road 470 near the Florida Turnpike that eventually will contain 2,800 homes. And it contains language that stipulates the agreement will prevail in a situation involving a conflict with standard city ordinances.
A Chapter 163 agreement basically establishes the legal boundaries for a project, makes sure permitted uses allowed are shown to be consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and development regulations, includes a transportation analysis showing that no impacts are anticipated, provides requirements for review of the project and design criteria and establishes the city’s land development regulations.
