Ravalli County hearing over proposed Black Bear Lane cell tower centers on spacing exception, coverage and local impacts

Ravalli County commissioners on April 11 heard detailed testimony on a proposed wireless communication facility at 302 Black Bear Lane, west of Hamilton, that would require an exception to the county’s one‑mile spacing rule for towers. Planning staff recommended approval subject to granting the spacing exception; representatives for Vertical Bridge and T‑Mobile said the new tower is needed to close a local gap in in‑building wireless coverage. Residents asked the board to delay a final decision while a balloon test and additional notice are arranged.

The hearing matter, filed as permit WCFP 24‑10, was presented by Rob Livisay of the Ravalli County Planning Department. Livisay told commissioners the application was submitted Sept. 4, underwent a seven‑month review with four rounds of planning comments and was found “sufficient” by staff on March 14. He said the county’s Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance No. 13 (section 4) requires any new tower over 60 feet to be at least 5,280 feet (one mile) from another tower unless the applicant demonstrates co‑location is scientifically unfeasible and a unique hardship exists.

Meredith Pabst of Wireless Policy Group, representing Vertical Bridge, and Matt Russo of T‑Mobile described technical studies the applicant submitted to meet that exception. Pabst said the applicant’s alternative‑site and engineering reports "show colocation is…