UPDATE Virginia’s Albemarle County has favored tree top towers which reduce the impact on the skyline by hiding the cell towers components up in the foliage. However, as WVIR-TV reports, a need for greater connectivity has the county reconsidering its options.
The Planning Commission has been reading over its cell tower guidelines, which were last updated in 2000. The county has been pondering how to increase connectivity for the region without compromising the view. Devising a cost-efficient way to install cell tower equipment has also been under review.
“We’re looking at how our regulations [can] potentially change to address that, but still address the concerns of the community in terms of visual impact,” noted Development Process Manager Bill Fritz.
“The county has a unique way of addressing wireless. We use what are known as tree top towers. That’s our preferred method,” Fritz explained. “A taller tower may provide more coverage to a bigger area, but, of course, it has a greater visual impact,” he added. Options remain under discussion, according to WVIR-TV.
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