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Board approves 255-foot tower, clearing path for county radio upgrade
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Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with broad support from volunteer fire and EMS leaders, the Board of Supervisors approved a special-use permit for a 255-foot communications tower tied to a countywide P25 radio upgrade. Debate focused on site placement, co-location terms and lease arrangements.
The Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors on April 20 approved a special-use permit for a 255-foot communications tower, a key element of a planned upgrade to the county’s P25 radio system intended to improve radio coverage and cellphone service in remote areas.
Planning Director Robert Love told the board the application from Milestone Towers was properly advertised and that the planning commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions. The applicant said the site was selected after a search to meet both the county’s public-safety needs and Verizon coverage objectives and said the facility would “accommodate Verizon and three additional broadband carriers,” calling the proposal “a win‑win” for the county and residents.
The decision followed more than an hour of public comment, largely from firefighters and EMS personnel who described repeated radio “dead zones,” an increase in emergency-call volumes and at least one incident when a deputy could not communicate with dispatch. Sean Dowler, an assistant chief, said the county has seen a 23.3% increase in fire and EMS calls since 2022 and called the radio project “critical infrastructure.” Daniel Clark, Farmville fire chief, said the system is ‘‘vital’’ for responders who must communicate during emergencies.
Some nearby property owners expressed concern about the siting and visual impact. Resident Randall Miller said the tower would be located “approximately 300 yards off our back patio,” and asked whether the location could be adjusted to reduce visibility while acknowledging the safety benefits. Kevin McDermott, who lives across from the site, supported the project but suggested the county improve GIS transparency so prospective buyers can identify pending special‑use permits.
Board members discussed a revised site plan and the applicant’s responses to planning‑commission conditions, then approved the permit on a roll-call vote. During later discussion staff reviewed a separate proposed lease with Vertical Bridge for a Dominion tower site the county will lease to meet coverage objectives; staff said the lease carries a $1,300 per month charge for an initial 14‑year term and that a prior ordinance provision requiring owners to provide space “without compensation” had been struck to conform to state law. Supervisors said they had negotiated rates down from higher initial offers.
The board’s decision advances the countywide radio upgrade but leaves several implementation details to staff and lease negotiations: which tower sites the county will lease, what charges the county will pay for tower space, and the scheduling of radio testing that must proceed in full foliage to validate coverage before the system is put into service.
Procedural next steps: the county will finalize lease arrangements for tower sites and continue work with Motorola and consultants to complete the P25 system testing and deployment.
