An Additional Perspective on Tall Towers Regulations in the Borough

On Friday, KTNA reported on the Mat-Su Borough’s Tall Tower Advisory Committee, which is looking at regulations for broadcast and cell towers.  Committee member Rick Brenden and Borough Assembly member Jim Sykes were interviewed, and both were in favor of increased setback regulations to prevent towers from causing damage if they fall.

On Monday, KTNA spoke with Ken Slauson, who is also on the Advisory Committee.  He says that the safety record for tall towers in the Borough is fairly good.  Slauson says the Willow tower is the first one to fall in the way it did in thirty years, and while he says that practical measures should be taken for tower safety, he believes that it’s not clear cut that additional setback requirements are the answer.  Slauson says that some of the debate is being fueled by “not in my back yard syndrome,”  and that it’s important to consider how much “veto power” an individual should have over what their neighbors do with their property.  He says his goal is for the committee to find the minimum necessary regulation to present to the Assembly for a vote.  Slauson warns that any additional regulation leads to increased spending.

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee could occur as soon as next Tuesday.