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Board approves 190‑foot monopole near Highway 92 after residents cite emergency‑service gaps
Summary
The Board of Commissioners and Planning & Zoning unanimously approved a 190–195 ft monopole telecommunications tower at 4371 Highway 92 with conditions including setbacks, height limits and a required RF engineer review, after residents described spotty service and a past emergency response failure.
Planning staff and the applicant presented a special use permit for a 190–195 foot monopole telecommunications tower sited on a 10.7‑acre parcel at 4371 Highway 92 (S2026‑39). The lease area proposed is set back roughly 1,000 feet from Highway 92; line‑of‑sight studies and coverage maps submitted by the applicant showed the facility would fill gaps in local cellular coverage.
Several residents and users of the corridor supported the project, citing weak or nonexistent cell service along sections of Highway 92 and nearby roads. "If the first responders probably could have communicated better, my daughter would be alive today," said one resident who described an emergency where responders lacked reliable cell connectivity. Others described inability to reach 911 from homes or church parking lots in the area.
Opposing speakers raised concerns about the tower's visual impact along a scenic byway, the effect on nearby property values, and whether nearby alternative sites or county towers had been fully considered. The applicant said alternatives were explored and that collocation or county towers were too distant to close the coverage gap.
Both the Planning & Zoning Board and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the SUP with conditions that require the tower to be placed at least 1,000 ft from the right‑of‑way, to remain under 199 ft total height (including appurtenances), to comply with other Unified Development Code standards, and to submit a radio‑frequency engineering review acceptable to the county before building permits are issued.
Next steps: The applicant will provide the required RF engineering review and, if the county approves, proceed with permitting and construction timelines. County staff estimated equipment procurement and construction could take several months to a year depending on supply and permitting.
