Planning commission approves 199-foot telecom tower in Elliston Lafayette Industrial Park

The Montgomery County Planning Commission on Jan. 8 approved a special use permit for a 199-foot monopole wireless telecommunications tower proposed by Network Towers LLC at 6000 North Fork Road in the Elliston Lafayette Industrial Park. The commission voted unanimously to approve staff’s recommendation with conditions after a public hearing that drew no speakers.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval with conditions. Ms. Wright, county planning staff, told commissioners the site is zoned M-1 manufacturing and covers 3.914 acres. The proposal calls for a 190-foot monopole plus a 4-foot lightning rod for a total height of 199 feet, a leased equipment area of 52 by 65 feet (3,380 square feet) and a fenced equipment yard of 42 by 55 feet (2,310 square feet). Ms. Wright said the tower would provide opportunities for at least three colocating carriers and that the zoning administrator and county attorney determined the visual and other impacts would be minimal for the site.

Laurie Schweller, an attorney with Williams Mullen representing Network Towers, said the area currently has limited mobile voice and data coverage. “This area… is sorely insufficient, with data and voice coverage,” Schweller said, describing the proposed tower as intended to improve in‑building coverage and connectivity on local roads and Interstate 81. Schweller said T‑Mobile is expected to be the anchor tenant and that the design leaves space for other carriers to colocate.

Staff noted several technical and regulatory points: the site is outside FEMA flood zones; the Virginia Department of Transportation offered no objections; the Montgomery County Public Service Authority said placement near PSA lines raised no concerns but recommended utility locate calls before work; water and sewer are not required for the use; no balloon test was performed; and the Code of Virginia prohibits the county from requiring coverage maps, though the applicant provided coverage information to the commission. Staff also said the Federal Aviation Administration has not required air navigation lighting for the tower, and the county’s supplemental regulations require a nonreflective steel finish, neutral‑colored dish antennas, and restrictions on advertising and lighting unless FAA‑mandated.

With no members of the public speaking, Commissioner Kroll moved to approve staff’s recommendation with conditions; Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the special use permit. The commission’s approval is subject to conditions summarized in staff’s recommendation, including limiting the permanent antenna elevation placement, requiring monopole construction with internal wiring, landscaping to meet county codes, conformance with the submitted concept plans (NT Site Name, Elliston; NT Site ID Virginia T24.07; dated 11/01/2024), and a written agreement assuring tower removal upon abandonment at the owner’s or landowner’s expense.

Next steps include submission of a site plan for review of erosion and sediment control, stormwater compliance, and county landscaping requirements prior to construction. Staff said any additional public comments received during the public hearing period would be recorded and addressed at the site‑plan stage.