Proposed small cell towers along Captiva Drive discussed at Community Panel meeting
In response to increased community complaints about inadequate cell service on Captiva, Verizon has developed a plan to install five small cell towers along Captiva Drive to boost reception and improve service. Your property is one of those selected for such a tower, so the Captiva Community Panel wanted to reach out to inform you of this proposal.
These locations are dictated by the technological needs of the small cell system. The specific locations on each property were selected to minimize visual impact of the cell towers to property owners and to maintain minimum required distance from overhead power lines.
The towers will be 50 feet high and painted black (see photos). Verizon maintains that the towers must be black with no ability to camouflage using other paint colors. It will be possible to landscape up to about a 5-foot radius around the towers. An open pathway to the towers from Captiva Drive must be maintained.
The five locations are:
- 16990 Captiva Drive. The tower will be installed about 15 feet north of the driveway entrance and be set back about 10 feet from the paved roadway.
- 16530 Captiva Drive. The tower will be installed on the southern property line and set back about 10 feet from the roadway.
- 16250 Captiva Drive. The tower will be set about 25 feet south of the driveway and be set back about 10 feet from the roadway.
- Tween Waters Inn. The tower will be set on the beach side of the roadway across from the southernmost cottages.
- Community Center. The tower will be placed adjacent to the southern parking area between the parking lot and the beach access walkway.
This proposal, which must be approved by Lee County (since they are in the public right-of-way) as well as other regulatory bodies, was discussed in the last Captiva Community Panel meeting held on Tuesday, July 12, beginning at 9 a.m. The meeting was held via Zoom to make it easier for the community to attend and participate. Verizon is expected to request letters of support from the Community Panel and the Captiva Fire District to assist in the governmental approval process.
