Hearing examiner takes testimony on proposed 160-foot Turf Valley cell tower; decision pending

Howard County Hearing Examiner heard evidence Aug. 13 on a conditional-use application by TowerCo, with Verizon as an anchor tenant, to build a 160-foot communication tower at 2700 Turf Valley Golf Road in Ellicott City.

The applicant asked the examiner to allow a minor amendment to the filed plan to change the proposed galvanized monopole to a disguised “monopine” (tree pole) of the same height. Attorney Sean Hughes for TowerCo told the examiner the change would “further enhance the site” and said the company and its consultants had provided photo simulations and engineering drawings for the monopine. The examiner said the amendment would be incorporated into the record and considered in the forthcoming decision.

Why it matters: supporters said the new tower would fill persistent gaps in wireless coverage across the Turf Valley resort and surrounding neighborhood, improve 5G capacity and strengthen the ability to make emergency 911 calls. Opponents raised concerns about property values and compensation to nearby homeowners; no formal vote was taken at the hearing and the examiner said a written decision will be issued later.

What was proposed and what witnesses said TowerCo’s application seeks permission for a 160-foot structure sited on property owned by Turf Valley Golf Resort. Company witnesses described the project as an unmanned, fenced compound 50 by 50 feet that would accommodate multiple carriers. The applicant said the compound and pole would be built to host multiple platforms (the filing referenced up to four carriers; engineering testimony identified five equipment areas inside the compound).

Engineer Camille Shabshab of Entrex Communications Services, who said he holds structural engineering degrees and has worked on wireless sites for about 30 years, reviewed…