Planning commission recommends approval of 199-foot Arcola Towers telecom tower; staff and applicant cite coverage need

The Louisa County Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve a conditional use permit for a proposed 199-foot telecommunications tower on Charles Lane (CUP 2024-08), after staff found the project in substantial conformance with the county's 2040 comprehensive plan and the applicant presented visual-impact mitigation and coverage rationale.

Staff said the proposed monopole, developed by Arcola Towers LLC, sits on a 6.94-acre wooded parcel identified as tax map parcel 56-15 in the Patrick Henry election district; the parcel is between the Ferncliff and Louisa designated growth areas. The project seeks to add coverage between two existing Verizon Wireless sites and would place Verizon antennas near the top of a 199-foot monopole designed to accommodate future collocation.

"The proposed tower will provide additional coverage," staff said in its report, citing the board-adopted public facilities plan and a telecommunications master plan update. The applicant's consultant, Stuart Squire, said Verizon's radio engineers identified coverage gaps along Courthouse Road where the road drops toward the South Anna River, and that the site lies near the midpoint between two existing Verizon sites.

Squire and developer representative Ryan Fultz described an access improvement to an existing gravel drive and a 50-by-50-foot fenced compound for the base station equipment. The applicant conducted a balloon test to show the structure's visibility; photos and a follow-up balloon test with neighbors were presented to the commission. The applicant said the site has received a Federal Aviation Administration determination of no hazard, SHPO approval and is undergoing NEPA review.

Two neighbors attended the applicant's neighborhood meeting; the commission heard that those neighbors expressed concern about proximity but were satisfied after the balloon test. At the public hearing, no opposing speakers appeared to challenge the application.

Commissioner Quarles, whose district includes the site, moved to find CUP 2024-08 in conformance with the comprehensive plan and then moved to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors. Both motions carried on roll call with recorded affirmative responses from commissioners present.

The commission recommended approval subject to the conditions staff provided (22 conditions listed in the staff packet), and staff noted the consultant Alteris had reviewed the application and recommended approval. The recommendation now moves the CUP to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The applicant and staff said the tower is intended to fill an identified coverage gap and to reduce load on nearby sites; the commission did not add new conditions beyond staff's recommendations.