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Suwannee County OKs 270-foot telecommunications tower after hearing on coverage and aesthetics
Summary
The Suwannee County Board approved a special permit to build a 270-foot telecommunications tower on an 84-acre Hunter property to improve wireless coverage and emergency calling. Residents raised concerns about radiation monitoring and recommended a monopole design; the board adopted standard permit conditions and voted 4-0.
The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 2 approved a special-permit request (SP25-12-01) to build a 270-foot telecommunications tower on an approximately 84.3-acre tract owned by Wiley and Gail Hunter, saying the structure will provide colocatable wireless infrastructure and expand coverage for residents and emergency services.
"The purpose is so people can use their phones," said Jonathan Yates, the applicant’s agent, during the public hearing. "Most importantly, if they're running down 136 late at night and something goes wrong, they can pull off ... and call the police, fire, EMS."
County planning staff told the board the application includes FAA and FCC evaluations, propagation maps and required setbacks. The proposed site, located north of Kennerid 136, was presented as meeting the county’s land-development regulations and technical standards for communication towers.
At least two residents asked technical questions during public comment. Steve Fontana asked whether the county or applicant had data showing radiofrequency levels at the property boundary and whether the county requires such measurements. "Is there data available for what radiation levels are gonna be at the property boundary for the rest of the community?" Fontana asked.
Another commenter urged the board to require a monopole design instead of guy wires, saying guy-wire anchors are visually intrusive. "Once all the building goes on, then you can see them... they're not pretty," said Moses Sleeper, who urged considering a monopole even if it costs more.
Commissioners discussed the standard conditional language that the county includes for towers and that county staff would retain co-location rights. Commissioner Leo Mobley made the motion to adopt the proposed resolution; Commissioner Land seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
The board’s action adopts the permit with the conditions presented by staff. County officials said the administrative record includes FAA and FCC review materials and propagation maps; the board did not add a requirement in the hearing record for post-installation boundary radiation measurements.
The resolution took effect immediately as a local land-use approval; any appeals or permit conditions would follow county code procedures for development permits.
