Clear communication: Ocoee approves tower

The community-backed tower will be 5G-equipped and offer room for two different carriers.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Ocoee City Commission during its Tuesday, Jan. 17, meeting approved the special exception request to build what soon will be the Ocoee Oaks UMC Communications Tower.

The owner of the property — about 12.58 acres at 201 S. Clarke Road — is Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church, Inc.

Applicant Mattania Jahn spoke in representation of Diamond Communications LLC, mentioning the “proposed bell tower would be painted white to look like an extension of the church’s campus.”

There were a few requirements regarding the construction of communications towers in the area, including a maximum height of 125 feet. However, the special exception for the Ocoee Oaks UMC Communications Tower granted the applicant permission for a 135-foot height.

Other stipulations include the location of the tower must be located on either private or public property but cannot be located on a single-family or duplex residential property; and an innovative design that will be aesthetically pleasing. Two design options were provided — a pine tree and a bell tower. Although there is no distance separation requirements, the proposed tower will be located about 217 feet from Clarke Road; and the tower will provide room for four future co-locations.

“This tower is something the entire (Whitehill) community is 100% behind,” Whitehill HOA President Doug Gomber said. “(The

In Other News

n The commission approved all items on the consent agenda. These include the approval of the election services contract with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections for the March 14 General Municipal Election; the approval to allow the fire department to accept the Dickey Foundation Grant that will allow the department to purchase one Lion SmartDummy Rescue training dummy and three Lion SmartDummy Rescue replacement coveralls; and the approval of the demolition of the old City Hall building located at 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, which passed 4-1 with Commissioner George Oliver dissenting.

n The commission approved unanimously the annexation and rezoning of the Howard Property located at 8708 A.D. Mims Road.

n The commission approved unanimously a substantial amendment to the Ocoee Town Shops PUD for a WaWa gas station. The property is 3.39 acres in size and located at the corner of Clarke Road and West Colonial Drive and is currently undeveloped.

applicant) has done a very good job trying to make this tower fit in the community; it fits perfectly with the church (design) and property. … We encourage (the commission) to take the bell tower plan — no one in our neighborhood likes the tree tower option, … but we would approve of you approving this amendment and this project.”

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen added her thoughts on the subject n The commission approved unanimously the adoption of the five-year schedule of the city of Ocoee Capital Improvement and the update of the Capital Improvements Element, used to consider the need for the prioritizing and the location of public facilities to encourage the use of those facilities in an efficient manner while there is development taking place within the city limits. n The commission denied a petition from Commissioner Larry Brinson to combine the fire and police advisory boards into one Citizen Advisory Public Safety Board. n The commission approved The Woman’s Club of Ocoee to host a political forum in relation to the upcoming March 14 election. There will be two forums hosted: one for districts 1 and 3 commission candidates from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, and another one for mayoral candidates from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16. n The commission rescheduled the appointment of members to the Human Relations Diversity Board to the Tuesday, Jan. 31, meeting. The motion passed 3-2 with commissioners Brinson and Oliver dissenting. prior to the approval of the special exception.

“I’ve heard nothing but positive comments regarding the bell tower,” she said. “So, I am supportive of the bell tower.”

The communications tower will be 5G-equipped and will offer room for two different carriers to offer communication services to residents in the area.