What’s next for Milton cell tower?

After nearly three years of appeals, legal battles and site-plan review, Verizon has a clear path toward putting up a new cell tower in downtown Milton. But when that will be is still unknown.

Following the Delaware Superior Court’s decision in January to dismiss a case seeking to invalidate the company’s land-lease agreement with the town for the proposed 140-foot tower, Steve Crawford, the plaintiff in the suit, said he did not plan to appeal the ruling to Delaware Supreme Court. Given that Verizon already has final site-plan approval for the project, the next step would be to file for a building permit. Project Coordinator Tom Quass said Verizon has not filed for a permit at this time.

Mayor John Collier said, "I can provide no update at this time."

Representatives from Verizon did not respond to requests for comment.

Verizon first proposed building the tower back in March 2019, and in December of that year, town council approved a land-lease agreement with Verizon that would allow the company to build a new tower at the town’s public works yard at 210 Front St. The justification from Verizon has always been that a freestanding tower is the best way to provide improved coverage in the Milton area. Plans for the tower immediately became controversial, with citizens saying a tower would be an eyesore in what the comprehensive plan calls a gateway to the town, and because the tower would reside in a flood zone.

A special-use permit was granted in March 2021, which was appealed by resident Barry Goodinson a month later. Council affirmed the permit in August 2021. Preliminary site plans were approved by planning and zoning in November 2021. That approval was also appealed, this time by resident Allan Benson. Town council again ruled in Verizon’s favor. Council approved final site plans for the tower in March 2023. Crawford appealed final site-plan approval to Superior Court in April 2023, and the case was finally decided in January.