Planning Board approves two wireless towers after public comment and engineering reviews
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Summary
The Rockingham County Planning Board approved two special‑use permits for wireless communications towers (cases 2025‑14 on NC‑65 and 2025‑15 on Folkes Road) after staff presentations, engineering reviews and an appraiser's testimony that a nearby tower would not substantially injure property values.
The Rockingham County Planning Board voted Nov. 10 to approve two wireless telecommunications towers in New Bethel Township and off Folkes Road, finding both permit applications met the county's UDO evidentiary criteria and that required engineering and impact studies supported the proposals.
Planning staff introduced case 2025‑14 for a proposed 254‑foot tower on NC‑65 (PIN 795300136934). Applicant Clark Davidson presented RF propagation maps, a NEAR report and third‑party structural review. Neighbors asked why co‑location on existing towers was not used and raised concerns about beacon lights and property values. Davidson said propagation maps showed coverage gaps and that FAA lighting is required; he added the tower is engineered to ‘‘crumple upon itself’’ within the calculated fall zone. "The preference is not to build a new tower," Davidson said, "but the maps show substantial improvement in coverage in this area."
An independent appraiser, Michael Berkowitz, testified that his primary sales data from Rockingham County did not show consistent negative impacts from nearby towers and concluded "the tower as proposed will not substantially injure the value of adjacent or abutting properties." The board voted to approve case 2025‑14 by voice vote.
Staff then presented case 2025‑15 — a proposed tower on a roughly 70‑acre parcel off Folkes Road (PIN 793300252345). Staff and applicant explained fall‑zone calculations and third‑party review; the board asked staff to include clearer fall‑zone graphics in future packets. After limited public comment, the board approved case 2025‑15 by voice vote.
Both approvals were conditioned on submission of final foundation and construction drawings to staff and third‑party review prior to full permitting, as noted in the staff presentations. The Planning Board serves as the final local decisionmaker for these special‑use tower applications; applicants may proceed with county permitting steps and required engineering submittals.