The Tryon International Equestrian Center is an extensive complex in the Blue Ridge Mountains catering to horse enthusiasts who meet every four years for the FEI World Equestrian Games. As reported in the Tryon Daily Bulletin, the Polk County Commissioners are working to make their location more tech friendly. They responded to a public demand for better connectivity and voted in favor of amending local ordinances to allow broadband on towers.
Special consideration was also given to address the influx of visitors that gather every four years for the FEI World Equestrian Games. The games were last held in 2018 so the new measures should be in place by the next cycle in 2022. The commission added language to specify that Carrier (or Cell) on Wheels, aka COWs, cannot operate within 150-feet of a building or property line, and cannot exceed 120-feet in height.
Resident Mike Rigney, saying that he was speaking on behalf of his horse farm neighbors, indicated that any measures that would bring better cell service would be well received. “I encourage you to do whatever you can to bring the technology to allow people to be able to thrive in this area as opposed to driving them out,” he told the commission.
The Polk County Planning Board has recognized that some parts of the county are underserved, or lacking service entirely. Commissioner Ray Gasperson said zoning restrictions would need to be revised. He described cell and internet services as a necessity rather than a luxury. “When people start to purchase property and homes, they are going to start wanting good service,” said Gasperson.
March 25, 2019
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