Small Town News

New cell tower approved by planning commission

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An agenda with only two items was cut in half when the first item was continued at the monthly meeting of the Walton County Planning Commission, leaving only the issue of approving the construction of a tower for wireless communication to consider.

Action as an agent for T-Mobile, Thad Watson came before the commissioners seeking approval to erect a 250-foot self-support tower and related telecommunications equipment with in a fenced compound in an area zones general agriculture. The site is located at 5389 CR-192.

"T-Mobile needs to provide coverage north and south of Highway 331 and surrounding neighborhoods.

The tower will also provide high-quality service to the customer base. The company did a parcel-by-parcel search for appropriate property and this one was the only one available," Watson said. The property in question is going to be leased from the property owner.

Speaking for the county, planner Tim Brown said the construction of the tower has conditional use and meets the county's comprehensive plan. "The only lighting on the parcel will be that required by the FAA and nothing else. They are proposing two more antennas, but they will go on the same tower. They are saying this is the best location for the coverage they need," Brown said.

These comments came after citizen Ned Farber, who lives adjacent to where the tower will be built, ex: pressed concerned over the visual impact the tower will make. "It will be like having the Eiffel Tower right near you. There are others that live in close proximity to where the tower is going up. Are we going to end up with an antenna farm out there? We don't, we can't stand in the way of progress, but would there be a place the county owns that could be used instead?" he queried.

Chairman Tom Terrell said, "I understand your concern, but that said, T-Mobile has engineers who had to locate the best spot for them. This is a general agriculture area and that is where it has to go. There are a number of reasons why it has to go in that area. As far as the county having land available, I'm not sure they have any in the area they would be willing to lease out. This is an acceptable use for the land where it is being put up," he concluded.

There was no further discussion from the public or the commissioners and a motion to approve the application was passed by all, and the meeting adjourned.

Leah Stratmann may be reached via leahwrites@ gmail.com



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© 2009 The DeFuniak Springs Herald DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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