Planning commission recommends Verizon tower conditional use permit despite nearby neighbor opposition

The New Kent County Planning Commission on Dec. 15 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on CUP‑04‑25, a conditional use permit for a proposed 195‑foot self‑support monopole telecommunications tower and equipment compound behind the Providence Forge refuse site.

Patrick Silva described the application and staff analysis, noting the parcel lies in an A‑1 agricultural zone and that the proposed tower is subject to county code §98‑62 (telecommunications facilities). Environmental staff identified the property as encumbered by Resource Protection Area/Resource Management Area designations within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, so compliance with Chapter 82 environmental requirements will be required at the subsequent site‑plan stage.

Lisa Murphy, counsel for Towers LLC (doing business as Vertical Bridge) and Selka Partnership (Verizon Wireless), said the tower would be a 195‑ft galvanized steel monopole with a 4‑ft lightning rod and a 10,000‑sq‑ft leased compound; Verizon would occupy the top position with space for up to three additional carriers and room for county emergency communications equipment. Murphy emphasized network capacity needs and said balloon tests and photo simulations were used to assess visual impacts.

"This is infrastructure that benefits the county emergency communications and the citizens and it doesn't cost the County anything to develop," Murphy said, noting the applicant’s lease includes a slot for the county to install emergency equipment at no charge.

During public comment, Whitney Ward, an adjacent landowner and owner of Allen's Campground, urged denial. "The introduction of a nearly 200‑foot industrial tower would completely undermine ... the rural peace, natural beauty, and tranquility that define this area," she said, adding the structure would dominate the skyline and reduce property desirability.

Commissioners asked technical questions about RF coverage radiuses, co‑location on existing structures, visual simulations from the balloon test, nearest off‑site residence distance (about 950 feet), generator/fuel storage and environmental containment, and whether FAA lighting or painting would apply. Staff and the applicant said the site is intended to fill a coverage/capacity gap identified by RF engineers and that the tower would not require FAA lights in this location; a safety report in the packet indicated emissions at ground level would be below federal limits.

Commissioner Bennett moved and the commission voted to forward CUP‑04‑25 to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation; meeting minutes record the motion carried with one recorded abstention.

Next steps: If the Board endorses the CUP, a formal site plan and environmental compliance review (Chapter 82) will be required before building permits are issued.