Verizon has notified Fishers city officials that 5G tower permits will once again be requested.  There had been a pause for several months but the process is ramping-up once again.

Verizon is requesting 5G tower permits in the following neighborhoods:

Canyon Ridge

Cherry Hill Farms

Harrison Green

Harrison Woods

Lantern Farms

Lantern Overlook

Northfield Estates

Representatives of homeowners associations (HOAs) in Fishers gathered with city staff and members of the city council Wednesday night to review the laws and procedures once Verizon applies for 5G towers in a given neighborhood.

Former Fishers Town Council member, and current president of the River Glen HOA, Mike Colby, told those in attendance that Verizon halted 5G permit applications to advocate for a law change at the Indiana legislature for their plans to install fiber technology.  The bill, HB 1164, becomes law July 1.

City staff explained that once Verizon applies for a 5G tower permit, the city has 60 days to process it and receive feedback from the neighborhood.  If the city fails to act within that 60 day period, the permit is automatically approved, per the statute.

Verizon then has 2 years to construct the tower.  If that deadline is not met, Verizon must start the approval process with the city over again.

HOA representatives discussed details of the notification process once Verizon files for tower permits in any given neighborhood.

The group plans to prepare a sheet of frequently asked questions and answers to assist other HOAs, and hopes to form a coalition to deal with the 5G tower issue in Fishers neighborhoods.

Generally, the city has limited legal authority to change tower locations within a neighborhood, but attempts to prevent towers from obstructing views and placing them in common areas wherever possible.