The Historic Charleston Foundation is asking the S.C. Department of Archives and History to review the design of a downtown Charleston cell tower that some call the Toilet Roll Pole.
Charleston City Paper reported “Charleston’s new eyesore — a 113-foot 5G wireless communications tower that looks like three rolls of toilet paper atop a pole” in August, citing concerns from citizens who see the TRP on their daily commute to work.
The city of Charleston has said it can’t do anything about the tower, as it falls under the Federal Telecommunications Act, but the Historic Charleston Foundation is still speaking out about concerns over the tower, according to WCSC-TV.
The original design was presented in October 2020 by the Environmental Corporation of America (ECA), but the Historic Charleston Foundation said the cell tower that was built has large visual discrepancies from the original design.
“If the tower that was constructed was the one that was originally proposed, we wouldn’t have had any impact on the city,” said Historic Charleston Foundation Properties Manager Justin Schwebler. “Our skyline is an important contributing factor to the character of our city, which we think has been negatively impacted by the new tower.”
George Baerreis, who works at the Recovery Room on King Street, told Charleston City Paper in August, “The skyline was something special, and it’s not anymore.”
South Carolina’s Department of Archives and History said it has reached out to the Federal Communication Commission and ECA with the organizations saying on Sept. 27 they would review the materials.
WHAT TO DO: Contact your member of Congress and complain. Angelina Panettieri, a legislative director with the National League of Cities, told the City Paper that a bill under consideration, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (HR 3557), would turn the FCC regulation on tower modifications into law, which would make it harder to overturn. She said the National League of Cities and other organizations have been lobbying Congress to reject HR 3557.
In other news:
National gas prices see streak of dips; S.C. ticks up slightly. In South Carolina, the price of a gallon of gas rose 0.6 cents over the past week to an average of $2.89 per gallon, while the national average fell 0.4 cents over the past week to $3.21.
Charleston weighing changes to floodplain regulation. The city of Charleston is considering a new property assessment process aimed at protecting homeowners from surprise costs after a flood or hurricane, shortening the cumulative damage window.
Charleston moves forward with plans to revamp West Ashley shopping center. The City of Charleston’s Design Review Board gave conceptual approval on Monday to a new Publix grocery store and retail space that will be built in the Ashley Landing Mall shopping center on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.
Aldi looks to bring 7th location to Charleston area. Discount grocer Aldi filed plans with the city of Charleston to take over part of the space once occupied by Bi-Lo on Folly Road on James Island.
Charleston Co. employees to get paid parental leave in 2024. Charleston County Council unanimously voted Nov. 30 to adopt the policy of paid parental leave for up to six weeks, which goes into effect in January.
Lowcountry nonprofit seeks for ambitious workforce housing. Newly established nonprofit Coastal Community Development Corporation has joined the ranks of programs and organizations fighting to carve out affordable housing for workers who are increasingly priced out of their homes.
Charleston’s newest Coast Guard cutter arrives. The Calhoun, a Legend-class national security cutter, arrived at the old Navy base in North Charleston on Dec. 3, becoming the newest addition to the U.S. Coast Guard’s South Carolina-based fleet.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.