Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Telecommunications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board holds public hearing on recertification of 250-foot SBA tower; county attorney urges ordinance review
Summary
The Board heard a request to recertify a 250-foot SBA Communications tower in Brodnax and discussed limits on conditioning recertification for emergency services equipment; the county attorney recommended a working group to update a 2001 cell tower ordinance.
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8 opened a public hearing on CUP 4-22, a request from SBA Communications to recertify and alter a 250-foot wireless telecommunications tower on tax parcel 085-0A-0-5 at 871 Long View Drive in Brodnax. Planning Director Taylor Newton told the board the Planning Commission recommended approval after CTA Consultants reported the facility complied with standards, though the tower's certification had lapsed.
Supervisor T. Wayne Hoover asked whether the permit could require free space for local emergency-services equipment. Administrator Tracy M. Gee and County Attorney Frank Rennie said state law prevents the county from making such a condition part of the certification, though Rennie added that tower owners have in the past allowed public-safety equipment without charging localities. Luke Vinciguerra of SBA Communications requested approval of the recertification but said he needed to consult company superiors about providing on-tower space for emergency equipment.
Rennie told the board the county's cell tower ordinance has not been updated since 2001 and recommended forming a working group to review and propose updates. He suggested the group include Rodney Newton (emergency services), a Planning Commission member, Supervisor Mike Hankins, Taylor Newton and Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao. The board did not approve the recertification at the meeting; the public hearing was closed and the discussion was left for further action while staff and the suggested working group pursue ordinance updates.
The hearing record indicates no formal condition requiring free public-safety space was added; Rennie said such a condition would conflict with state code but that tower owners have sometimes granted access voluntarily. The board directed staff to proceed with the recommended ordinance review and the Planning Commission review process.
The Board exited the public hearing without a final approval recorded for CUP 4-22; any subsequent administrative or board action would appear on a future agenda.
