Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wireless Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves minor revision to Lisonbee wireless facility to add equipment pads for AT&T
Summary
Washington County Planning Commission approved a minor development review July 17 to add two equipment slabs and related infrastructure at an existing wireless tower (Lisonbee site) to accommodate an additional carrier, identified in materials as AT&T; staff recommended approval and the commission voted 4-0 with three members excused.
The Washington County Planning Commission on July 17 approved a minor development review to modify an existing wireless tower at the Lisonbee site, adding two concrete equipment pads, a generator pad and structural measures to protect lines from freezing so an additional carrier can co-locate on the tower.
The change affects an approved tower originally permitted in 2017 with a development order issued in February 2018. County staff described the request as an expansion of the existing fenced compound on a 0.23-acre site to add a 4-by-6-foot concrete pad and a second roughly 6-by-8.5-foot slab for equipment and a generator, plus an "ice bridge" to protect lines in freezing weather. Staff recommended approval.
Commissioners discussed that the county encourages co-location on existing towers instead of construction of new towers. Staff said the additional pads will be inside the perimeter of the existing fence and that showing future carrier pads on initial site plans can reduce the need for repeat reviews if applicants accurately estimate future slab sizes. A county planner said one neighbor telephoned earlier in the day with a personal complaint not related to land use; no neighborhood meeting attendees opposed the request.
A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made and seconded; the commission conducted a roll call vote and the motion carried. District 1 Commissioner Roger Hagen, District 2 Commissioner Richard Punde, District 3 Commissioner Michelle Cook and District 4 Commissioner Carl Owens voted "yes." District 5 Commissioner Jared Pike, the school board representative Kyle Newsome and the member-at-large John Gay were excused.
Because the change alters the development footprint, staff said a development order would be issued the next day. Staff also noted that if applicants anticipate future growth and accurately show potential future carrier locations and pad sizes on site plans, they may be able to proceed directly to the building department for permits rather than returning for a separate planning commission review.
No formal conditions, amendments or public opposition were recorded in the transcript of the meeting.
