Community Support Ignored in Casanova

Verizon’s proposal to build a 154-foot tower near the historic village of Casanova in Fauquier, Virginia, didn’t get the support it needed from the Board of Supervisors. Despite the overwhelming support from the residents last month at the public hearing before the Planning Commission, commissioners voted 3-2 to recommend denial of the project. Last Thursday, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing where the same thing happened. 24 residents spoke out in support of the proposed tower, and 13 opposed it. Supporters explained their reasons: safety, business needs, student needs, and the “digital divide” separating rural and suburban residents. Fauquier Now reported that after an hour and 15 minutes of testimony, Supervisor Peter Schwartz of Marshall District blasted Verizon representatives and, without naming him, Mr. Sherbeyn. “They would have never come to me in my district with an application like this,” he said. “We have them [towers] all over the place in Marshall District. We have worked with Verizon. They know what we expect. These guys know what will work. We can do that here,” Mr. Schwartz added. “It is ridiculous that we have been discussing this for a year.” (Fauquier Now) He and other opponents said approving the tower as proposed could preclude the county from holding future applications to the ordinance requirements for screening and viewshed protection. Verizon has agreed to look for other locations, and hopes that an alternative site will work as a compromise.