Cumberland County board approves conditional-use permit for 199-foot Arcola telecommunications tower

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors voted to approve Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2503 on Feb. 10, 2026, allowing Arcola Towers to construct a 199-foot telecommunications tower on 0.23 acres of a 61-acre parcel owned by Wayne Lipscomb south of 913 Trent Mill Road.

Stephanie Johnson, planning and zoning administrator, told the board the proposal meets the county's supplemental zoning regulations for cell towers and noted that a tower under 200 feet does not require FAA lighting. Staff presented visibility simulations, an April 2024 site survey, and maps showing the parcel is zoned A-2 with an existing dwelling and farm structures. Johnson said adjoining property owners were notified on Jan. 14 and the public hearing was advertised in the Carmel Herald on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4. She added the Planning Commission held a unanimous recommendation of approval.

No members of the public signed up to speak during the hearing. Following the staff presentation, a board member moved to approve CUP 2503 and another seconded the motion. Board members indicated assent and the motion passed; the transcript records the motion, second and affirmative responses but does not include a roll-call tally.

The permit authorizes Arcola Towers to lease a roughly 100-by-100-foot site on the Lipscomb parcel for the tower and associated access from an existing private road. Johnson said the lease area and site plan are included in the packet and that the location was selected to improve voice, data and communication services consistent with the county comprehensive plan.

Next steps for the project will be administrative: the applicant must satisfy any remaining site-plan, permitting and lease requirements prior to construction. The county will follow its usual permitting process for installation and any required inspections.