Prospect of more cell phone towers draws little interest

A decade ago, building cell phone communication towers ranked as a controversial topic prompting heated debate in New Kent and other localities. Times, however, have changed as evidenced by the recent rash of tower building applications in the county.

Five applications before the county in the past two months have generated little to no public opposition. The reasons are varied, but apparently aesthetics has taken a back seat to service.

Most people own cell phones and thus demand the improved service and fewer dropped calls that strategic tower placement brings, one county official recently noted. Then if a tower site is rejected, county officials risk inviting legal action for interfering with a carrier’s ability to provide service.

In recent weeks, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved construction of two towers off Route 249, one near Talleysville and the other in the Slatersville area. Neither application attracted opponents to speak during respective public hearings before both supervisors and the Planning Commission.

Last week, Planning Commission members entertained three applications, recommending approval of two and sending the third back to staff to iron out a legal issue concerning right of way easement. During public hearings on each, opposition was at a minimum.

County residents David and Georgia Desper voiced displeasure with an application by Richmond-based Clear Signal Towers to build a 195-foot monopole tower on a five-acre site owned by Lawrence E. Christian at 3361 Quaker Road (Route 611). The Despers, the lone opponents in attendance, said the tower would ruin their backyard view and devalue their property.

Commission members, however, voted 5-4 with one abstention to recommend supervisors approve the application. The vote also rejected a county planning staff recommendation for denial since the tower site violates county setback requirements with regard to nearby residences and property lines.

Commission members then voted 9-0 with one abstention to recommend supervisors’ approval for Clear Signal’s application to build a 250-foot, self-supporting, lattice-style tower on a three-acre site directly behind Watkins Elementary School. The county’s School Board owns the site. No one spoke in opposition.

Staff cited the same setback issue in recommending denial. Supervisors, however, must grant a waiver on both Clear Signal tower applications to overcome the setback matter.

Commission members voted to table action until their June 21 meeting on an application by Richmond-based National Communications Towers to build a 195-foot, self-supporting, lattice-style tower on a 25-acre site owned by R. Wade and Kathleen Moore, located about 1,000 feet northeast of the end of Topeka Road in Quinton.

Staff recommended approval, but a legal issue over right of way forced postponement. During the public hearing, Brenda Donner, who said her family owns surrounding property on Topeka Road as well as the road itself, claimed right of way easement has not been granted to the tower building firm. But National’s president, Elliott Harrigan, countered that he has in hand a dedication of easement signed by all affected landowners.

Supervisors, meanwhile, are expected to vote on the two Clear Signal applications during their June 14 meeting.