Planning commission backs Dominion Energy microwave tower on Ironbound Road with conditions

The James City County Planning Commission on Sept. 3 recommended approval of a special-use permit to allow construction of a replacement microwave transmission tower for Dominion Energy at 4059 Ironbound Road.

Staff recommended approval, saying the proposed lattice tower would be shorter than a neighboring 241-foot structure, meet county performance standards to minimize visual impact and be below the 200-foot threshold that would require FAA lighting or marking. Commissioners voted to find the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan and then approved the special-use permit with the conditions proposed by staff.

What was proposed and why Planning documents say the applicant seeks a self-supporting steel lattice microwave transmission tower 170 feet tall plus a 6-foot lightning rod (176 feet overall) to replace an existing 150-foot tower and relocate the structure about 175 feet farther from Ironbound Road. The tower will carry microwave and directional antennas and has capacity for future antennas used for point-to-point communications between Dominion facilities.

Staff analysis and conditions Staff's visual analysis concluded the tower would be visible from 3 of 12 evaluated vantage points but would generally remain below the tree line in the industrially zoned location. Departments reviewing the application found no interference with public-safety communications; building safety accepted the structural analysis. Per the zoning ordinance and staff conditions, the tower's color must be approved by the planning director, no advertising signage will be permitted, and ground-mounted equipment will be screened with a fence no taller than 6 feet (black or green). The site includes mature evergreens that provide additional screening.

Public comment Harold Timmons of Tower Engineering Professionals, representing the applicant, told commissioners the firm had worked closely with staff and was available to answer questions. Resident Linda Caffelli, who identified herself with Virginians for Safe Technology, expressed concerns about radiofrequency exposure and the potential for future carriers to install additional equipment, including 5G technology. She said she had learned about the proposal only the day before and asked the commission to consider public-health questions raised by advocacy groups.

Commission action The commission first voted to find the project generally in accordance with the comprehensive plan, then voted to recommend approval of SUP 24-00294059 with the staff-recommended conditions. The roll calls on both motions were recorded in the minutes and the motions carried by unanimous votes.

Next steps The planning commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action. Staff noted the tower is below FAA thresholds that would require obstruction lighting and that Dominion agreed to the listed conditions.