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Grayson County planning commission backs 244-foot UScellular tower, sends variance request to supervisors
Summary
The Grayson County Planning Commission voted June 17 to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a 244-foot UScellular communications tower at 3807 Grassy Creek Road and to forward a requested variance reducing the residential setback from 500 feet to 414 feet to the Board of Supervisors for final action July 10.
The Grayson County Planning Commission on June 17 voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a 244-foot UScellular communications tower at 3807 Grassy Creek Road and to ask the Board of Supervisors to grant a variance reducing the required residential setback from 500 feet to 414 feet.
The recommendation follows staff’s presentation of a 118-page application packet and photo simulations and public comment from nearby residents. Planning staff said the proposal includes capacity for four carriers and space for Grayson County’s E-911 equipment and would improve broadband and emergency communications in the upper end of the county.
“UScellular will be at the top of the tower, and then the county will be down below,” said Emily Lauer, agent for UScellular, during the public hearing.
The staff report said the proposed tower site is a 63.9-acre tree farm in the Wilson District, is currently zoned rural-farm, and requires a special-use permit because the structure exceeds 100 feet. The design is a galvanized lattice tower with dual lighting; FAA requirements call for medium-intensity white lights during the day and red lights at night because the structure exceeds the FAA filing threshold. The application includes FAA and FCC filings, engineering certifications, visual simulations and a statement that no existing towers are within three miles of the proposed site.
The packet also records coordination with VDOT, which placed conditions on construction access including flaggers and restrictions on mirrors in the right of way. The applicant proposes to run electricity to the site via an easement from Grassy Creek; staff confirmed a 20-foot nonexclusive access easement for fiber and utilities is shown on the plan. No water or sewer is needed and no tree removal is required, the staff summary said. Nine certified letters were mailed to adjoining landowners; four green cards had been returned by the time of the meeting.
Neighbors at the hearing voiced concerns about the tower’s proximity, visual impacts and health effects. “I adamantly oppose this close to us for his health, his wife, and his family's health, my health as well,” said Heather Henderson, a nearby resident.
Staff recommended approval subject to conditions: Board of Supervisors approval of the variance to permit the 414-foot residential setback; compliance with VDOT’s construction-access requirements (including flaggers and no mirrors in the right of way); completion of required permits and inspections (FAA, FCC, Grayson County erosion and sediment control, and Grayson County building-department review) before operation; ongoing maintenance of colocation capacity; and adherence to the lighting and fencing standards in the plans.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval as presented with the staff conditions; the motion carried and the planning commission’s recommendation and the variance request will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors. The Board will consider the matter at its July 10 meeting at 6 p.m., when residents may present the same comments again.
If the Board of Supervisors approves the variance and the special-use permit, building-permit and erosion-control reviews will follow before construction can begin.
