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A century ago, visitors to Charleston would recognize their arrival by the sight of the city’s steeples on the horizon. Today, this sense of arrival may come from spotting three enormous toilet paper rolls, which actually serve as 5G towers. The new tower located where the Crosstown bends into Interstate 26 and the approach to the Ravenel Bridge has raised concerns among locals, giving Charleston a less than desirable nickname of “Charmin” Charleston.

The design of the tower did not go through the city’s Board of Architectural Review or Design Review Board, and unfortunately, this lack of review does not always prevent the construction of unsightly structures. This highlights the need for better regulations and oversight.

The city claims that their hands were tied by the federal Telecommunications Act, which limits the local zoning authority when it comes to the provision of personal wireless services. Although federal law does offer protections to historic buildings and districts, the tower in question is located outside Charleston’s National Landmark District. This reinforces the need for the city to expand its district in order to safeguard its gateways from further unattractive additions.

In late 2019, smaller 5G towers were erected in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, raising concerns about their impact on the city’s historic areas. At the time, the federal government offered little assistance to those who were worried about the preservation of these areas. Organizations such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities have called on the Federal Communications Commission to address this issue, referring to the federal preemption of state and local requirements as a “sweeping overreach.” Unfortunately, there has been little progress in resolving this matter since then.

Charleston’s 5G tower raises important questions about the balance between technological advancement and preserving the city’s historic charm. It is crucial for the city to take steps to protect its heritage while also embracing the benefits of modern technology.

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