Board approves T‑Mobile tower near Alcovy High School to improve coverage

Newton County commissioners voted July 1 to approve a conditional use permit for a new 195‑foot monopole telecommunications tower proposed at 14327 Highway 36, a property that lies near Alcovy High School.

The project’s applicant told the board the tower will be enclosed in a roughly 60-by-60-foot compound inside a 100-by-100 leased area, accessed by an existing driveway apron from Highway 36. The compound will be surrounded by a minimum 6-foot opaque fence and evergreen trees as required by the zoning ordinance. The county’s conditions require the monopole to accommodate emergency‑services equipment below the third antenna and to meet or exceed the tower‑setback standards in section 5.10.6.30 of the zoning code.

Supporters included Alcovey High School staff who said cellular coverage at the school has been unreliable. "We can hardly make phone calls. There have been several emergencies that have taken place where we have not been able to make phone calls," said teacher Brian Coates, who urged approval for student and staff safety. The engineering consultant for APC Towers confirmed the site meets ordinance requirements and exceeds required setbacks.

Planning staff recommended approval after verifying setbacks, landscaping and compound design meet the county’s wireless-telecommunications standards. The proposed tower’s required setback equals tower height; staff said the planned separation distances exceed that requirement. The board approved the conditional use permit; the applicant must file final plans, a landscaping plan and any necessary land‑disturbance permits before constructing the facility.

Next steps: applicant to submit final construction and landscaping plans for Development Services review and to obtain any required state permits. County staff said they will verify compliance with the landscaping and fencing conditions before issuing a certificate of occupancy or activating the site.