The Botetourt County Planning Commission recommended denial of a Verizon Wireless proposal for a 199-foot monopole, to increase its coverage capacity in the area, reported The Roanoke Times.
The monopole’s proposed location is in the middle of a large field, surrounded by rural homes and eight residents spoke out against the project at a recent public hearing. They voiced concern over the potential effect the tower could have on property values and how it would change the mountain views they enjoy from their homes.
Residents said the photos provided by Verizon, of the tower’s visibility were misleading and carefully picked. Additionally, they said, tree coverage helped hide the tower and did not accurately represent the same view in the winter, reported The Times.
The new tower would be placed in-between two other Verizon towers, one of which is the most overloaded Verizon tower in Virginia, according to Lori Schweller, an attorney representing the carrier. “We see this as a public good in compliance with your comprehensive plan.”
Planning commission members thought more work could be done to identify alternate locations for the tower. “It’s hard to support the proposal when there could be a site that’s better,” Commission Chairman Sam Foster said.
The commission voted unanimously against the proposal, which will be forwarded to the board of supervisors with the commission’s recommendation, reported The Times. The supervisors will hold their own hearing September 25.
September 17, 2018
