The Clearwater, Idaho County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a conditional use permit submitted by WEIS Towers on behalf of Inland Cellular for a tower in the sparsely populated (199 according to the 2012 census) town of Peck after a discussion at its December 21, hearing.
The proposed 195-foot guyed tower would support antennas and microwave dishes. A 10×12 foot equipment shelter will be sited in a fenced 40×50 foot lot on a five acre parcel of agricultural land across from 2491 Sunnyside Bench Rd., in Clearwater County. The property is zoned F-1 which, is the Low Density Rural District, and is not within an area of city impact according to ClearwaterTribune.com.
Brian Woods of WEIS Towers was at the hearing to present photos of the project site and answer questions. Concerns raised included the possibilities of additional travel around the site area, devaluation of surrounding property and general public nuisance. Woods assured the commissioners that none of these items would be factors, and public commenters said that they could not “dispute the fact that the ability to contact emergency services or to have cell coverage in an area that currently has none was more of an asset than a detraction.” Site owner Michael Weber echoed this sentiment, stating that he “had experienced great difficulties in finding any cell coverage along Hwy. 12, even in the event of an emergency.”
Now it’s up to the Clearwater County Commissioners, who will conduct their own public hearing Monday, January 11.
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