Cell Towers Sprouting throughout Savannah

Feb. 16, 2026 – Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo is calling on residents to speak up after small-cell digital poles began poking up in midtown neighborhoods.

In a Feb. 13 Facebook post, Palumbo urged residents to email him if installations have gone up near their homes, particularly if they were unaware the work was coming.

“I need your letters. Even the angry ones,” Palumbo wrote. “Every frustrated, how-did-this-happen, nobody-told-me letter you’ll probably want to write but won’t be sure anyone will read. I will read every single one.”

The installations are part of a Crown Castle Fiber’s master plan submitted to the Chatham County–Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) last August.

According to the MPC, the proposal called for 43 small-cell “nodes” in the city right-of-way, including 17 new freestanding poles and 26 collocations on existing utility poles.

The application identifies Crown Castle as the wireless provider, with the city of Savannah listed as property owner for right-of-way locations,

The 17 proposed new poles include locations such as:

803 E. Anderson St. (SAV001)
661 E. 34th St. (SAV002)
746 Seiler Ave. (SAV003)
401 E. 54th St. (SAV012)
520 Washington Ave. (SAV014)
402 E. 64th St. (SAV019)
8511 Waters Ave. (SAV049)

The remaining 26 installations would collocate on existing Georgia Power or other utility poles, which staff indicated can be approved administratively.

Under the city’s zoning ordinance, a master plan for new small-cell installations must be approved by the MPC staff.

However, MPC staff recommended that a decision on the 17 new freestanding nodes be continued pending a third-party supplemental review.

At the same time, staff recommended approval of the 26 collocating nodes on existing structures, stating that the modifications do not significantly alter the appearance of the structures and that structural analyses certified the poles could support the equipment.

Email correspondence included in the public file shows Crown Castle’s attorney confirming an intent to continue the master plan hearing to a later MPC meeting date.

Application materials indicate the small-cell poles are generally 38 feet in height, with an overall pole length of approximately 45 feet master-plan-wtfa-final.

The master plan includes photo simulations, structural certifications, Georgia Power attachment approvals, and FAA documentation for each location savannah-master-plan.

According to the staff report, Crown Castle’s evidence of need states that the locations were selected based on internal network modeling and refined “to minimize visual impact by using existing utility poles where possible”. The applicant also stated that existing macro towers cannot meet needed coverage or capacity in the target areas.

Palumbo argues the public has been effectively sidelined due to state legislation.

In his post, he referenced Georgia Senate Bill 66, the “Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act”, which limits local authority over small-cell deployment and streamlines approvals. Palumbo contends the company helped advocate for the legislation and is now using it to bypass neighborhood engagement.

He emphasized that he does not believe city staff are at fault, writing that the issue stems from state law and the permitting framework it created.

Palumbo said he has formally requested that the city pause new small-cell permits until the city council can review the local ordinance. He has also raised the issue with council members, the city manager, and the city attorney.

The Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Association is scheduled to host a community briefing and listening session on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church (711 E. Victory Drive). City staff have been invited to provide context and answer questions.

Palumbo is asking residents to document installations near their homes as he prepares to bring the matter before the city council.

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