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Residents urge Sumter County to investigate proposed Denkins Mill Road cell tower; council asks staff to research
Summary
At public comment residents raised health, historic-preservation and environmental concerns about a proposed 400-foot cell tower on Denkins Mill Road and proposed that the county require council approval and a three-mile notice zone; council asked staff to research federal jurisdiction and return with guidance.
During the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting, resident Sitta Henen told the Sumter County Council that a proposed cell communications tower on private land at Denkins Mill Road would be sited near a recognized historic site, adjacent to a nature preserve and within about a half mile of Rafting Creek Elementary School.
"This 400 ft tall entity will broadcast scientifically evidence toxic radiation within less than a half a mile from Rafting Creek Elementary School," Henen said, and urged the council to adopt ordinances requiring county approval for proposed towers and preventing towers within three miles of schools, historic sites and preservation land.
Henen said she had spoken to a land trust that had inspected the area and that the trust would not permit such structures on its easement land. She also cited concerns about property values and the presence of endangered-species habitat nearby.
Council members asked staff and the county attorney to research how federal rules and permitting interact with local authority and to return to council with options for navigating the review process. No formal council vote or ordinance was taken; the matter was entered as an item for additional staff research.
Note: Claims about radiation and legal prohibitions were made by a public commenter and were not adjudicated during the meeting. The council requested staff follow-up to clarify legal constraints and next steps.
