JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 5G – The next generation of wireless technology coming to Jacksonville is getting some push back from residents.
A list of 46 approved sites for small cell build-outs are planned across the city.
The concern from some is they’ll show up in neighborhoods – that’s why they’re acting now.
“We have a beautiful view of a park,” Lauren Galvin said. “How is that a selling point if you have a bunch of poles in the way?”
Cell towers are not something Galvin wants to see when she opens up her window blinds and looks out onto her front yard. The mother of two says the movement to bring 5G wireless upgrades to Jacksonville doesn’t sit well with her because of where these units can go.
“The Florida statute is scary,” Galvin said. "You could wake up in the morning with a pole in your front yard right of way."
The On Your Side team obtained a list of the three-dozen plus approved sites. Several pockets including around the Town Center and Southside area, as well as downtown, have more than other areas.
But Galvin and members of the Stop 5G Jacksonville group have concerns for future expansion. They’re taking the issues to City Hall. Chiefly – how units roughly the size of a refrigerator -- can be placed essentially anywhere.
Nothing in the current language of already passed legislation restricts small cells from being placed in neighborhoods. An issue councilman Matt Carlucci said he’s heard plenty about from his constituents.
“Where they go could cause visual blight in residential neighborhoods or line of sight for traffic or pedestrians, so there will be some regulation,” Jacksonville city councilman Matt Carlucci said.
Galvin says it’s not about standing in the way of progress – rather protecting property values and the scenery on the First Coast.
“It's up to the City of Jacksonville to defend our property and how the city looks.,” Lauren Galvin said.
Zoning Committee Members will meet Jan. 9 to talk about the issue. The group Stop 5G Jax says they’ll be asking for an amendment to be sponsored that would prevent units from popping up in neighborhoods.
The below list provided by the City of Jacksonville shows approved small cell locations as of the end of 2019.
- 4353 Pablo Professional Court - Unit CTSC
- 8688 Touchton Road - Unit CTSC
- 302 Century 21 Drive - Unit CTSC
- 7859 Westside Industrial Drive - Unit CTSC
- 4666 Town Center Parkway - Unit CTSC
- 4816 Big Island Drive - Unit CTSC
- 4817 Deer Lake Drive, West - Unit CTSC
- 9841 Gate Parkway, Noth - Unit CTSC
- 10726 Briarcliff Road, East - Unit CTSC
- 5218 Ramona Boulevard - Unit CTSC
- 458 San Pablo Road, South - Unit CTSC
- 9805 Gate Parkway, North - Unit CTSC
- 7231 Baymeadows Way - Unit CTSC
- 110 Peal Street, South - Unit CTSC
- 216 Liberty Street, North - CTSC
- 211 Newnan Street, North - Unit CTSC
- 6060 Youngerman Circle - Unit CTSC
- 440 Forsyth Street, West - Unit CTSC
- 4134 Sunbeam Road - Unit CTSC
- 511 Newnan Street, North - Unit CTSC
- 414 Liberty Street, North - Unit CTSC
- 2308 Lewis Street - Unit CTSC
- 1670 Oceola Street - Unit CTSC
- 5563 Edenfield Road - Unit CTSC
- 7813 Baymeadows Way - Unit CTSC
- 8007 Baymeadows Way - Unit CTSC
- 10861 Burnt Mill Road - Unit CTSC
- 5194 Gate Parkway - Unit CTSC
- 10941 Burnt Mill - Unit CTSC
- 9791 Gate Parkway, North - Unit CTSC
- 4451 Southside Boulevard - Unit CTSC
- 9725 Gate Parkway, North - -Unit CTSC
- 4608 Emerson Street - Unit CTSC
- 2340 San Diego Road - Unit CTSC
- 9006 Western Lake Drive - Unit CTSC
- 935 24th Street, West - Unit CTSC
- 414 66th Street, West - -Unit CTSC
- 4751 Walgreen Road - Unit CTSC
- 10 48th Street, West Unit CTSC
- 7317 Buffalo Avenue - Unit CTS
- 12215 Aladdin Road - Unit CTSC
- 8834 Western Way - Unit CTSC
- 10169 Fortune Parkway - Unit CTSC
- 13045 Gran Bay Parkway - Unit CTSC
- 7968 Point Meadows Drive - Unit CTSC
- 1011 Albert Street - Unit CTSC