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County committee to rewrite 2001 wireless‑telecom ordinance after state rule changes
Summary
Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao told the Planning Commission the county’s wireless‑telecommunications ordinance (from 2001) is out of date following a 2017 change in the Virginia Code; the committee is reviewing other localities’ ordinances and may replace the old ordinance to clarify procedures and encourage new towers.
Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao told the Planning Commission on Jan. 5 that the county’s wireless‑telecommunications ordinance, drafted in 2001 and based on 1996 regulations, is no longer in compliance with the Virginia Code after legislative changes in 2017.
"The current ordinance is from 2001, which was based on 1996 regulations," DiStanislao said. "The Virginia Code changed in 2017, so the ordinance is not in compliance with the Code." He said the committee is reviewing ordinances used by other localities and is considering scrapping the old text and starting fresh to clarify processes for applications and permit review.
Chairman James "Buck" Tharpe said the intent is to encourage more cell towers to come to the county. Commissioners asked about how providers might claim rights to act; DiStanislao said the rewrite aims to clarify procedural expectations for applicants and the county.
No formal vote was taken on Jan. 5; the report was informational and the committee will continue drafting a revised ordinance for future review by the Commission and Board of Supervisors.
