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Dickson County Planning Commission approves proposed cell tower in White Bluff over health objections
Summary
The Dickson County Planning Commission voted May 14 to approve Towers LLC’s site plan for a new cell tower at Tax Map 095, Parcel 037 on Jocelyn Branch Road in White Bluff, despite at least one commissioner and members of the public raising health concerns; the applicant had received a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals on April 7, 2026.
The Dickson County Planning Commission voted May 14 to approve Towers LLC’s site plan to build a new cell tower at Tax Map 095, Parcel 037 on Jocelyn Branch Road in White Bluff.
The commission considered the company’s site plan and materials noting that Towers LLC received a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals on April 7, 2026. Chair Robert Qualls said he would not vote on the matter because the proposed tower site is visible from his property and he would “pass” when called.
Supporters at the meeting and staff noted the project met the applicable site-plan submission requirements. A member of the public and at least one commissioner raised concerns about potential health effects from cell towers. During the roll call, the commissioner who announced opposition said, “I’m gonna choose health over the community. I’m gonna say no.”
Commissioners and staff discussed whether a landscape plan and required screening around the fenced equipment area would be part of final approvals; staff confirmed the landscaping requirements included in the special-exception documentation would be enforced as part of final review and that if the applicant failed to meet those requirements it could affect final minutes/conditions.
After discussion a motion to approve the site plan was made and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The chair declared the motion approved.
What happens next: The approval allows Towers LLC to move ahead with the site-plan process and pursue required permits and final inspections; staff indicated the landscape/screening elements and other conditions must be satisfied before final sign-off.
Vote record (as read into the record): Tina Farris — no; Gary Green — yes; Robert Pauls — pass; Tommy Brown — yes; Jeff Chase — pass; Randy Ramey — yes; Paul Oregon — yes; Madison Berry — yes; Dr. Reagan — yes. The chair declared the motion approved. The transcript shows an earlier roll-call statement that eight commissioners were present; the roll-call entries and the vote transcript contain inconsistent formatting that the commission minutes should clarify.
