The city should move quickly on rules to govern deployment of 5G cell phone technology in Warren.

Without logical standards that can stand up to legal scrutiny, the city could find itself dealing with eyesores littering neighborhoods and downtown. At the same point, it’s important the city have 5G capability as a selling point to businesses and potential new residents who will want Warren to be capable of handling 5G technology.

Council members recently tabled discussion, with city Planning Commission members expressing disappointment the council hadn’t continued the discussion with its members because planners could actually answer some of the question City Council members were asking.

It is important for the council and Planning Commission to be on the same page when it comes to 5G rules and regulations. It is also important for these regulations to be finalized quickly. It’s surprising that the 5G building boom hasn’t hit Warren already given the buildout that has already happened elsewhere.

One of our region’s selling points is its rural nature. Some 5G regulations limit the placement of 5G equipment near trees and state trees cannot be pruned for the benefit of 5G infrastructure. Other communities have established buffer zones around schools, childcare centers, hospitals and religious facilities. There are also often height limits, guidelines for what 5G clusters look like and guidelines to avoid interfering with pedestrians. Proper definitions are important to protect neighborhoods or areas where 5G equipment should be avoided — and those definitions must be able to stand up to legal scrutiny.

This is an important effort, and Warren officials need to quickly get on the same page and get its regulations on the books.