In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposal for a special use permit requested by Jonathan L. Yates for the construction of a 197-foot monopole wireless telecommunications tower in the western portion of Montgomery County, off Childress Road. The proposed site spans 50.4383 acres, primarily zoned for agricultural use, with some residential properties nearby.

The tower, which includes a 2-foot lightning rod, is designed to enhance voice and data communications for residents and will be utilized by Verizon, with potential co-location opportunities for other cellular providers. The site plan includes a 75 by 75-foot lease area surrounded by a 7-foot chain link fence topped with barbed wire, and an access road leading to the tower.

During the meeting, staff reported that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) had reviewed the proposal and raised no safety or maintenance concerns. Environmental assessments indicated that the site is not in a flood zone, and no significant land disturbance is anticipated, minimizing potential sediment and pollutant runoff.

The proposal aligns with the county's 2025 comprehensive plan, which encourages the co-location of antennas on existing structures and aims to minimize the negative impact of new towers on local communities. The staff recommended approval of the permit, contingent on compliance with several conditions, including maintaining a neutral color for the tower to reduce visual impact.

Public notification procedures were followed, including placing a sign on the property and running legal ads, though no citizen comments had been received prior to the meeting. The discussion also touched on the potential for local emergency services to utilize the tower for communications, which would be governed by a co-location agreement with the tower owner.

As the meeting concluded, officials expressed a commitment to ensuring that the tower meets all regulatory requirements and addresses community concerns regarding its appearance and environmental impact.