Baldwin City (GA) Council met Monday night to discuss an offer by Vertical Bridge to erect a cell tower. The towerco inquired about what parcels would be suited for its placement, according to the Now Habersham News. One parcel along the Hwy 441 scenic corridor only had a height restriction of 35 feet while another site was too close to another tower. Vertical Bridge was inquiring on behalf of its client, T-Mobile. The company is proposing a tower on Traditions Drive, roughly 250-feet tall that would require a setback to match the height.
A city official said the site is in a wooded area adjacent to a rail line, a trailer park and residential housing to the west and south. The site is also within 1,165 feet of a school, and five thousand feet from the local airport.
City staff gave their recommendations for the project as it related to conflicts with city operations. The only department that had a possible conflict was with Public Works and the sewer easement on Traditions Drive.
The city’s administrative staff, according to the News, recommended that the council deny the request due to R-1 zoning district restrictions that prohibit the building of cell towers. The staff also said the variance request for a 250-foot tower exceeds the maximum allowable height in a residential district at 165 feet.
A public hearing on the special use permit and variance requests is set for Tuesday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin, the News reported.
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