Applicant seeks 190-foot wireless tower near Moncure; quasi-judicial hearing referred to planning board

A special use permit application for a new 190-foot steel wireless telecommunications tower on about 3.25 acres near Moncure was presented to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners Jan. 16. The application was filed by Towers LLC (doing business as Vertical Bridge) and was presented by John Yeagley of Chase Real Estate Services, who said the submission complies with the county’s wireless telecommunications ordinance and that no alternative facility locations existed within a 1.5-mile search radius.

Angie Plummer and staff described the proposal as a quasi-judicial matter and noted there is no fixed time limit for testimony. The applicant said it had held public meetings and discussed concerns with a neighboring church; the landowner was present and a lease agreement for carrier operations (for example with Verizon) was described as expected.

After presentation and an opportunity for public comment, the chair closed the hearing and referred the special use permit application to the county planning board for further review and a recommendation. No vote on the special use permit was taken at the Jan. 16 meeting.

The applicant said the area has limited service due to hilly topography and that the tower is intended to improve technology services for the area. Additional documentation submitted to county staff was noted during the hearing. The planning board will consider the application under the quasi-judicial process and return a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.