Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Kent County board approves special exception for 199-foot cell tower near Millington
Loading...
Summary
The Kent County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a special exception allowing Network Towers 2 LLC to build a 199-foot monopole telecommunications tower on property east of Millington, citing long-standing coverage gaps and public-safety benefits; the planning commission had recommended approval.
The Kent County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a special exception allowing Network Towers 2 LLC to construct a 199-foot monopole telecommunications tower on property east of Millington, the board said.
Sean Hughes, land-use attorney for the applicant, told the board the proposed tower — a 195-foot monopole with a 4-foot lightning rod, and room for at least three co-locators — is intended to fill a persistent coverage gap along Cypress Road and Route 291. "We believe there's a real need in this area of the county for wireless connectivity and service," Hughes said, and noted staff and the Planning Commission had not identified significant issues with the application.
Paul Dugan, a radio-frequency consulting engineer for Millennium Engineering P.C., testified that drive-by checks at the proposed location showed virtually no usable mobile signal in the affected stretch. "There is a total lack of service in this stretch where my phone has, you know, 0 bars of signal," Dugan said, and estimated the new facility would provide useful coverage roughly 2 to 3 miles in all directions from the site.
Holly Baldwin, Kent County associate planner, summarized the Planning Commission's April 2 review and told the appeals board the commission forwarded a favorable recommendation. Baldwin said the site plan shows an 80-by-80-foot lease area on a roughly 153.5-acre parcel, the tower would be unmanned with about monthly maintenance visits, the structure would be set back more than 490 feet from known off-site residences, and a preliminary environmental review found no known conflicts with historic resources or the county's critical-area rules.
Members of the board cited safety and emergency-communications benefits in their deliberations. The board accepted the Planning Commission's findings of fact and staff report, a member moved to approve the special exception, another seconded, and the motion passed after members voted "aye." The transcript does not record a roll-call vote with member names.
The applicant said it will continue with FAA and FCC screening and the county's site-plan process if the board's decision is implemented. The record includes a letter from the Millington Volunteer Fire Department supporting the project for safety reasons along the corridor.
The board scheduled its next meeting for May 18, when it will consider a setback-variance application. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.
