Senator Jason Carter Submits State Bill 498

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Senator Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's oldest grandson, has joined Rep. Karla Drenner in standing up for the rights of parents and homeowners across DeKalb County who are upset about the lack of notification and disregard of local zoning laws by both the DeKalb County Board of Education and its leasee, T-mobile. 

Sen. Jason Carter was sworn in to Georgia state Senate

in May 2010.  He recently joined the battle against cellphone

towers on public school properties in Georgia by entering

legislation Feb. 28, 2012, to require proper notification

of the public and the adherence to local zoning laws when

a governmental entity such as the school board

leasing property for non-governmental purposes (such

as the construction and maintenance of a telecommunications

tower.)  Thank you Sen. Carter!

On February 28, Carter submitted his statewide bill (text below) which seeks to close a loophole in zoning regulations that the school board claims give it carte blanche to lease public school property to whomever it wants for whatever purpose they so desire. 

At GTCO-ATL, we have been actively protesting this assumption and reaching out to whomever we can to voice objections.  Thanks to the help of the Briarcliff Heights Community Action Group, we finally have a ally in the Senate.  And, Sen. Carter of the 42nd district is not alone.  His bill has been signed on by Sen. Fran Millar of the 40th, Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th, Sen. Emanuel Jones of the 10th and Sen. Curt Thompson of the 5th. 

Essentially the bill states that whenever a local government entity such as the school board, plans to lease its property for a non-governmental purpose (such as to a commercial entity like T-mobile) then they must comply with the standard zoning and notification laws that any other group would be required by law to follow.  So, public notification would run in the press and signage would be posted at the site.  And,  a public input hearing would be required.  Read the press release from Sen. Carter's office here.

CALL TO ACTION:
We will follow the progress of this important legislation and keep you posted as we learn more.  In the meantime,  it is important to email or call your state representatives and senators to let them know you approve and support both the Drenner bill that bans cell towers from public school properties AND the Carter bill that requires government entities to follow zoning laws when leasing space for non-governent purposes.

You may email your message of support to Sen. Carter at:  jason.carter@senate.ga.gov

You may email your message of support to Rep. Drenner at:  dren16999@aol.com


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Senate.bill.498.Close.zoning.loop