Planning commission deadlocks on recommendation for 195-foot Vertical Bridge tower after strong local opposition

The Washington County Planning Commission deadlocked 2-2 on Monday in a recommendation over a proposed 195-foot wireless telecommunications tower on property owned by Rex and Wanda Bush, leaving the final decision to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners at its Aug. 21 meeting.

The tower, proposed by Vertical Bridge (authorized representative James McNichol), would sit on a roughly 75-acre parcel off Gilberts Mill Road and include space for two additional carriers to co-locate equipment, county planner Don McDonald said. Planning staff posted a NEPA-related environmental review and an RF justification, and staff recommended approval to the commission.

Commissioners Roger Hagen and Jared Highet voted to deny the commission’s recommendation; Commissioner Richard Kunde and school-board representative Kyle Newsome voted against denial, producing a tie. County attorney Fuqua read relevant state law to remind commissioners of limits on considering health effects when an applicant demonstrates compliance with applicable regulations.

Why it matters: the project drew extensive public opposition from residents who live near the proposed site and from others in the southeast portion of Washington County. Commenters cited…