Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously last Thursday to overturn a previously approved conditional use permit (CUP) for a communication tower near Oldtown, ID citing conflicts with county codes and concerns about public safety, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee.
The 3-0 decision followed a two-and-a-half-hour meeting, during which commissioners determined that the proposed tower conflicted with the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan, violated elements of the Bonner County Revised Code, and posed potential hazards to neighboring properties.
The CUP was initially approved by the county’s Hearing Examiner on January 15. However, an appeal was filed on February 18, prompting a review by the Board of County Commissioners.
During the meeting, a Verizon representative provided maps illustrating coverage gaps and stressed the importance of cell service in outdoor, indoor, and in-vehicle scenarios, the Daily Bee reported.
Despite the technical case presented, the board moved into deliberation and determined that the CUP should be reversed. Two commissioners voiced concerns that placing a cell tower in a rural setting would disrupt the area’s rural character. Additionally, they noted the absence of approved safe access to the proposed site, placing the permit in violation of Title 12 of the Bonner County Code.
Reader Interactions