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Commission approves conditional use for lattice tower on Rayonier timberland after neighbors raise visual, traffic and wetlands concerns
Summary
NextTower/Rayonier won conditional‑use approval for an unmanned lattice tower on Cloud Kildare Road to improve cellular coverage (T‑Mobile and other carriers). Neighbors pressed for more site detail, questioned truck traffic, wetlands, vegetation clearing and possible tax and health impacts; board approved the conditional use with site‑plan review to follow.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 voted to approve a conditional use allowing a lattice communication tower on Rayonier Forest Resources property off Cloud Kildare Road. The applicant NextTower Development Group presented the request, citing significant need to improve cellular coverage and noting the site would support co‑location for multiple carriers.
Staff described the proposal as an 80‑by‑80 leased compound with a fenced, unmanned tower and one monthly maintenance visit; staff said the site is more than 1,000 feet from the nearest residences, meeting separation requirements in the telecommunications ordinance. NextTower representatives said the plan complies with applicable setback and separation rules and that the site was chosen to balance access, wetland delineations and construction costs.
Several nearby property owners opposed or sought further detail. Concerns included the amount of vegetation clearing, potential wetland impacts, heavy construction traffic on Cloud Kildare Road (a posted 'no trucks' route in part), visual impacts on nearby parcels intended for future homesites, the absence of a detailed site plan in the conditional‑use packet and whether co‑location on an existing tower would be preferable. One commenter asked what effect the tower might have on local property taxes and another raised long‑term health concerns regarding radio‑frequency emissions. Staff and applicants responded that FCC standards govern emissions and that the conditional‑use step precedes site‑plan review, where details on the compound, generator, stormwater and mitigation would be provided and reviewed.
Commissioners and staff emphasized that the conditional‑use approval allows the tower proposal to move to formal site‑plan review; that second step will require engineered plans, wetland mitigation or avoidance measures, and specific construction logistics to be filed and reviewed publicly. The board approved the conditional use by vote; staff said a subsequent site‑plan submission will return to the board for final technical review and approval as needed.
