Cell towers bill clears General Assembly – Atlanta Business Chronicle

The Georgia Senate gave final passage Tuesday to compromise legislation making it easier for wireless companies to get permits to build cellphone towers.

The bill, which passed 48-1, limits fees local governments can charge wireless companies to review applications for new towers or modifications of existing towers.

It also gives cities and counties no more than 150 days after
receiving an application to either issue or deny a permit.

The companies began pushing for the bill last year, complaining that long waits for cellphone tower permits were preventing the industry from keeping pace with the rapidly growing demand for service.

After the legislation failed to make it through the General Assembly last spring, industry representatives met with lobbyists for cities and counties to work out a compromise that all of the parties could support.

In a key change from last year’s bill, the companies agreed to drop a provision that would have allowed permits to be approved automatically if the 150-day “shot clock” expired without a decision on an application.

via Cell towers bill clears General Assembly – Atlanta Business Chronicle.