Planning commission backs 255-foot tower to complete county public-safety radio network

The Prince Edward County Planning Commission voted March 17 to recommend a special‑use permit for a 255‑foot communications tower on tax map 046‑A‑50, a step county officials say is necessary to finish a three‑site P25 public‑safety radio network that will improve radio coverage in western parts of the county.

County staff and emergency officials told the commission the taller tower is required to provide reliable coverage in the Prospect/Dalton Heights/Pamplin corridor. "We ran coverage testing through our Motorola vendor and a consultant and where the elevation is in Prospect at that location, the 250 ft is what we needed to gain guarantee the coverage for that area," said Trey Powell, Prince Edward County emergency manager.

Applicant John Nathan Yates, representing Milestone Tower Limited Partnership (doing business as Milestone Towers), said the tower was originally proposed at 199 feet in 2023 but the application was placed on hold and the new design—255 feet including a lightning rod—accommodates county public‑safety equipment and commercial carriers. "This is essential. Particularly in the year 2026, you should not have a part of the county where you don't have access to good wireless," Yates said.

Staff told commissioners the county intends to place P25 public‑safety radio equipment on the upper portion of the tower so it can serve as the third leg of a countywide system that includes antennas on Lee Mountain and a Dominion tower. The applicant said foundations and site preparation will take most of the construction time and the tower itself can be stacked in a day; he estimated 45–60 days to erect the structure once foundations are set.

Several volunteer fire chiefs, the town manager of Farmville and Sheriff Epps urged approval, saying current radio gaps endanger responders and residents. "Dispatch couldn't hear him. All they could hear was static," Sheriff Epps recounted, describing a deputy who struggled to transmit during a violent encounter.

Residents who live nearest the site expressed concern about potential aircraft-style lighting and impacts to property values and evening views. "We're very concerned about lighting flashing into our house at night," said Kevin McDermott, who lives about 387 feet from the proposed tower location. The applicant and staff said they expect the FAA to determine lighting requirements and that power would be buried; the applicant also proposed landscaping and a fenced 100‑by‑100 lease area with a 75‑by‑75 equipment compound.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed a recent site shift of roughly 190–200 feet; the applicant said geotechnical testing will be required at the moved location and that the project team will seek necessary regulatory clearances from FAA, Virginia SHPO and NEPA reviewers. Staff told the commission that the process does not require restarting local approvals and that the commission's recommendation would move forward to the Board of Supervisors.

The commission moved to recommend approval with the amended 11 conditions included in the packet; the motion carried with votes recorded as yes from Mr. Copeland, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Gilliam, Mr. Hart, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Page, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Perry and Mr. Pergaman. The application will be considered next by the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors.

The planning commission also noted an upcoming April 21 meeting that will include a 30‑acre solar application by New Energy Equity; commissioners said they expect public interest on that item.