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Planning commission recommends denial of proposed 150-foot Arcola Towers after resident opposition
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing and technical presentations, the Frederick County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of CUP 05-25, a proposed 150-foot monopole on Frederick Water property, citing resident concerns over siting, visual impact and timing; the denial goes to the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10, 2025.
The Frederick County Planning Commission recommended denial Tuesday of a conditional use permit for a 150-foot telecommunications tower proposed on a 14.25-acre Frederick Water parcel in the Shawnee Magisterial District. The motion to recommend denial carried on a roll-call vote and the item will go to the Board of Supervisors with that recommendation on Sept. 10, 2025.
The decision followed a staff presentation and an applicant-led technical presentation that described the site as suitable for T‑Mobile and additional carriers, and framed the project as an infrastructure investment to improve capacity and emergency alerts. Jonathan Yates of Arcola Towers said the proposal "represents an incredible investment in Frederick County" and stressed the site’s tree buffers and co-location design.
Residents who live near the proposed location gave extended testimony opposing the tower. They cited concerns about visual impact, generator noise, potential declines in property values and perceived lack of demonstrated need. Chris Hubert of the Shawnee District said the applicant "paid for that study" and questioned whether the site selection should have waited for a countywide planning process to identify preferred telecom sites. Multiple residents said they currently have adequate service and fear the tower will undermine neighborhood character.
Technical details presented at the hearing included: a 150‑foot monopole; a 50-by-50-foot fenced compound with an 8-foot chain-link fence; planned co-location for up to four carriers; a fenced setback of at least 150 feet from property lines; an engineered collapse radius of 150 feet contained on the Frederick Water parcel; and a nearest-home distance of 461 feet from the tower base. Applicant representatives said the FAA and state historic preservation review (SHPO) found no adverse effect in 2024 and that consultation with 12 tribal historic preservation offices resulted in clearance.
Commissioners debated the project’s timing and siting policy. Some commissioners and residents urged the county to consider a proactive approach—identifying or reserving tower sites through rezoning or master plans—so towers are not sited ad hoc amid subdivisions. Applicant representatives said they followed the county ordinance, exhausted co-location options and selected a utility-owned parcel to maximize buffers.
The commission first considered and defeated a motion to recommend approval (approximately 5–8 on roll call). A subsequent motion to recommend denial carried (approximately 8–5). The Chair confirmed the recommendation for denial and scheduled the matter for the Board of Supervisors public hearing on Sept. 10, 2025.
What’s next: the Board of Supervisors will consider the CUP with the Planning Commission’s recommendation for denial. If the board reviews the CUP, it may accept, modify or overturn the commission’s recommendation.
Reporter’s note: Quotes, measurements and technical details above are taken from staff and applicant presentations and from residents’ public testimony at the Aug. 6 Planning Commission meeting.
