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Commission approves Skyway Towers CUP after residents raise RF and visibility concerns
Summary
Commission approved a 150-foot monopole at 2021 Talley Road (CUP25465) after staff found the proposal met code; neighbors submitted a petition and raised health and visibility concerns but commissioners noted federal preemption on RF-safety issues.
The commission voted April 24 to approve a conditional use permit for a 150-foot monopole communications tower at 2021 Talley Road (CUP25465). Staff recommended approval, saying the site is within the industrial M-1 district and the proposal met the city’s siting standards for towers.
Background and staff findings: Deputy Director Kandi Harper described the property’s industrial zoning, the site’s location near Talley Box Road and Talley Road, and the exhibits showing the monopole location. Harper said staff sent the proposal to city departments and Lake County and received no substantive comments; staff also noted a petition of roughly 100 signatures in opposition citing health concerns.
Applicant presentation: Jamie Mayer, legal counsel for the applicant, said the tower meets Leesburg’s code and is sited in an industrial area with visual separation — including vegetation and a Duke Energy easement — from the Woodland Park neighborhood to the south. Mayer said the tower serves both coverage and capacity needs for wireless carriers and provided coverage maps in the record.
Neighborhood concerns: Joyce Carter, speaking for Woodland Park, said the tower would be visible from multiple homes and presented a petition and written materials arguing potential health effects. Several residents asked about radiofrequency safety; commissioner and staff responses noted federal law limits local review of RF-safety and that the applicant provided an RF engineer’s letter stating the proposed facility will meet FCC safety standards. Commissioner questions focused on distance to the nearest home (staff estimated about 500 feet) and visual buffering.
Commission action: After questions and discussion, the commission approved CUP25465 by roll call. The recorded votes in the transcript show majority approval with several commissioners in favor and one recorded no vote. Staff reminded attendees that federal law preempts local review of RF-safety standards, and that RF compliance documentation is in the record.
Ending: The permit approval is conditioned on compliance with all city development and building codes and does not exempt the applicant from other applicable state or federal requirements; the applicant will still need to obtain any other required permits.
