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Suwannee County approves 255-foot lattice tower permit despite public concerns
Summary
The Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved a special-permit resolution for a 255-foot self-support lattice communications tower by Vertical Bridge, after public comment raised safety and visual-impact concerns and the applicant said FAA clearance and co-location would mitigate impacts.
The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on April 21 adopted a resolution approving special-permit request SP-26-04-01 to build a 255-foot self-support lattice communications tower on an approximately 73.16-acre agricultural parcel in the northwest part of the county.
County staff presented the application and propagation maps showing coverage gaps in the area. Mr. Meeks explained the proposal would allow co-location — giving multiple carriers access to a single structure — and that the applicant listed T-Mobile as an anchor tenant. Two members of the public and the applicant gave sworn testimony during the hearing.
Steve Fontana of Live Oak urged the board to consider the area’s agricultural uses and local crop-dusting operations and suggested limiting towers in Ag-1 zoned areas to 200 feet to reduce navigational hazards. "Since we do have crop dusters that do fly in that area ... the county should take into consideration that we do have crop dusters," Fontana said.
Oswald Clipper urged a less visually intrusive design, favoring monopoles or camouflaged "stealth" structures over lattice towers, which he described as "industrial" and "ugly." "Maybe put a decent pole up there," Clipper told commissioners.
Michael (Mike) Benick, representing Vertical Bridge and LCC Telecom Services, said the FAA has approved the site and requires lighting for structures over 200 feet. He argued a lighted, FAA-approved tower is safer for aircraft than an unlit shorter tower and defended a lattice design for the rural location, saying monopoles of that height would be structurally impractical and could look worse at 255 feet. Benick also described the intended 100-by-100-foot lease parcel, a 30-foot access and utility easement, and provisions for 48 hours of backup generation.
After questions and no further public comment, Commissioner Hale moved to adopt the prepared resolution. The motion, seconded by Commissioner Land, passed unanimously, with the chair announcing the vote as 5–0 and admitting the application file into the record.
The approved permit and accompanying resolution allow the applicant to proceed under the terms specified in the county’s packet; the board recorded no additional conditions beyond those in the drafted resolution. The county’s agenda packet included propagation maps and the draft resolution that commissioners adopted. The county will file the resolution and permit documents in its records.
