FCC will not reconsider new time limits on cell-tower sitings

The Federal Communications Commission has denied a request to modify deadlines for new wireless infrastructure applications the Commission imposed on local governments last fall. However, another challenge to the FCC order still awaits a decision.

The new deadlines require local land-use authorities to rule on new tower applications within 150 days and co-locations within 90 days. On Jan. 29, the FCC denied a motion for reconsideration filed by the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Planning Association and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. Specifically, the association's motion addressed a 30-day deadline for local governments to determine if a cell-tower application is complete before the clock starts ticking on the review process.

The next challenge to the new rules comes from Arlington, Texas, which has appealed the entire ruling in federal court.