Longboat Key opposes legislation that could compromise undergrounding project

The Longboat Key Town Commission has approved employing a lobbyist to voice the town’s concerns to Florida lawmakers regarding legislation that could compromise the town’s undergrounding project.

The legislation (House Bill 687 and Senate Bill 596)  would restrict local governments from regulating or prohibiting collocation of small wireless facilities in public rights-of-way..

If the bills pass as they are currently written, the authorization and regulation of small cell wireless towers, antennas and other infrastructure would be preempted to the Florida Legislature.

Town staff hopes to begin construction on a referendum-approved $50 million dollar undergrounding project next year. The plan includes moving wireless communication utilities underground, along with power cables.

At a Town Commission special meeting on Wednesday, commissioners approved an agreement with lawyer and lobbyist Dean Cannon to oppose the proposed legislation as it is being considered in Tallahassee.  Cannon was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2012.