Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Telecommunications Tower Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves variance for 260-foot tower on 636-acre Roberts Land parcel in Interlachen area
Summary
Putnam County's Zoning Board approved a variance reducing the setback from 750 feet to 128.6 feet for a proposed 260-foot communications tower on a 636-acre Roberts Land and Timber Company property, with conditions and DRC review; vote was 6-0.
The Putnam County Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a variance allowing a 260-foot communications tower on a 636.5-acre parcel at 1576 Stewart Avenue in Interlochen with a reduced setback of 128.6 feet from the nearest residential property line.
Michael Graves, Planning and Development Services, presented the application for Next Tower Development Group 2 LLC and said a wetlands delineation around the proposed and original tower locations showed wetland constraints that the applicant says prevent siting deeper on the parcel. Graves told the board staff found the parcel contains an upland island surrounded by wetlands and that staff could not fully agree the requested reduction was the absolute minimum, noting the applicant had provided only a partial delineation focused on the proposed site.
Robert Volpe, representing Next Tower Development Corporation, told the board the site received a special use permit in 2023 and that subsequent wetland delineation revealed the originally approved spot to be an island of upland surrounded by wetlands. Volpe said the variance would allow the tower to be sited without impacting wetlands, that the closest developed dwelling is approximately 870 feet from the proposed location, and that the applicant proposes vegetated buffering around the tower base.
Staff reported the applicant supplied engineering documentation certifying the tower withstands wind gusts to a certified level and provided a theoretical fall radius estimate near 10 feet, with a note describing a design weakness between braces at 240–250 feet. Staff recommended approval subject to DRC review and buffering/landscaping conditions. The board voted 6-0 to approve the variance with the conditions recommended by staff; the chair and staff reminded the applicant of the county's 30-day appeal period.
The approval allows the applicant to proceed to the Development Review Committee and later to permitting steps required for tower construction, subject to any additional DRC requirements and external agency permits.
