March 4, 2021 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Telecommunications Webinar- Update on FCC Rules on Cell Tower Zoning
Speaker: John Pestle & Jonathan Kramer
Major topics will be (1) - - The September 2020 Ninth Circuit decision upholding major portions of the FCC’s 2018 Order about 5G and small cell towers in the rights of way, but restoring municipalities’ traditional discretion on aesthetic matters, and (2) - - Two FCC Orders that expand the types of changes to cell towers (notably expansions up to 30 feet outside the current cell site) which municipalities must approve. In each case we will summarize the decision, its background and provide suggestions as to how municipalities should proceed.
Speaker: John Pestle & Jonathan Kramer
John Pestle is the Chair of the Telecommunications Group at the Varnum law firm and is admitted to practice in Michigan and Arizona. He represents municipalities and private property owners nationwide on cell tower leases and zoning and other telecommunications matters. John is a graduate of Harvard College, Yale Graduate School, and the University of Michigan Law School. Among his many qualifications, John held an FCC license to work on radio, TV and ship radar transmitters and was Chair of the Municipal Lawyers Section of the Michigan Bar. He has received the “Member of the Year” award from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, and a “Special Award of Merit” from the Michigan Municipal League for his work representing municipalities on cable and telecommunications matters. For the Varnum web page on cell towers go to www.varnumlaw.com/celltower and for John’s cell tower blog go to www.varnumlaw.com/blogs/cellphone-tower/.
Jonathan Kramer is the principal attorney of Telecom Law Firm in Los Angeles. Since 1984 as a consultant, and 2006 as an attorney, he has advised more than 800 government agencies regarding wireless and broadband matters. Telecom Law Firm works for governments and private landlords around the country crafting reasonably fair wireless site leases. The firm has made a mark detecting and collecting rent-in-arrears for overoccupancy at lease sites, which is a frequent occurrence, and has resulted in 6 to 6-figure collections of back rent and interest, and increased rent going forward. Jonathan co-authored and edited the FCC’s publication for local government officials on radio frequency emissions safety, and at the request of the FCC he is presently revising and expanding it. Kramer holds a bunch of FCC licenses and telecom industry engineering certifications. Jonathan is admitted to practice in California and New Mexico and holds a LL.M degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law.