Coffey County approves 200-foot emergency communications tower after public hearing

The Coffey County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a special-use permit and Resolution No. 2025-963 to allow a 200-foot wireless communications tower for Coffey County Emergency Communications following a public hearing on Nov. 24.

Zoning administrator Heidi Harris presented the planning-board recommendation and told commissioners that the planning board had "made recommendations of approval" and attached a condition that the "application use and duration of the communication tower shall be part of the community county emergency services and will be considered null and void if the proposed communication tower uses [cease]." Harris said the application met the county's zoning requirements for a special-use permit.

Andrew, the applicant's agent, who identified himself as contracted by Eaton Towers and working for SSC on site acquisition and permitting, said he had "nothing new to add" beyond what the planning board presented and offered to answer questions from the board.

After staff outlined statutory options and commissioners discussed those procedural choices, a commissioner moved to adopt the planning board's findings and recommendation and to approve Resolution No. 2025-963. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The chair noted that affected persons have 30 days after the resolution is published to appeal to district court.

The approval includes the planning-board condition tying tower operation to county emergency services; commissioners did not record any written protest petitions to the county clerk before the hearing. The board closed the public hearing at 9:44 a.m.

Next steps include publication of the effectuating resolution and the 30-day appeal window; staff and the applicant will proceed with any required permit and construction steps provided the appeal period passes without challenge.