Palm-Aire cell tower denied

A Manatee County hearing officer has sided with residents in their fight against a proposed telecommunications tower in the Palm Aire community.

County Hearing officer Hamilton “Chip” Rice, Jr. on Thursday issued his formal denial of Vertex Development’s application to construct a 150-foot flagpole-style telecommunications tower on Palm Aire golf course property.

“The applicant has failed to establish by convincing, competent, substantial evidence that it cannot reasonably provide telecommunication service to the residential zone from outside the zone,” Rice wrote.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].