The Mat-Su Assembly certainly did no favors to borough property owners with their "open for business" policy concerning the erection of communications towers. What were they thinking? (ADN, Nov. 14, 2013)
The communications industry seized the moment to site and erect towers throughout the borough without the need for bothersome permits and public involvement. I was recently surprised and dismayed to find that GCI had, unbeknownst to me, erected a large tower right across the street from a lot I own in the Knik area. The Mat-Su Borough has no inventory of these towers as their builders had no duty to apply for construction permits.
Now the borough has decided that tower erection with reckless abandon is not such a good thing and that perhaps regulations such as setback requirements are in order. I do not know at this time whether or not the proposed regulations will impact my particular lot but I guess I can take small comfort in knowing I will have excellent cell coverage.
— Michael Hall
Anchorage