Franklin County approves two rezonings and a special-use permit for a 305-foot communications tower

Franklin County commissioners on Jan. 7 approved two rezoning applications and a special-use permit for a communications tower.

Rezoning 258-48 (3393 Reno Road): Planning staff described a request to rezone 6 acres to an RE district (residential estate) from larger A2 parcels; the six-acre tract will be sold to fund a single-family dwelling currently under construction and is not in the floodplain. Staff and planning commission recommended approval; the board approved the rezoning with no extended discussion.

Special use permit 2511-00011 (3751 Nevada Road): Planning staff presented a request to construct a 305-foot guy-wire communications tower (305 ft plus up to 4.5 ft for a lightning rod) with required conditions: a 70x70 chain-link security fence with barbed wire, locked access except for company employees, FAA-compliant lighting, FCC-compliant communications facilities, an emergency contact sign, noxious-weed control and two on-site parking spaces. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval; commissioners approved the permit after brief questions about comparable towers.

Rezoning 2510-0058 (3482 Rock Creek): Planning staff presented a boundary adjustment and rezoning request to rezone 15.9 acres to RE and the remaining ~40 acres to A1 for financial-banking purposes; the applicant will retain the land. Planning staff and commission recommended approval and the board approved the application.

Why it matters: The actions clear property uses for planned residential construction and a utility tower while imposing standard safeguards (setbacks, fencing, lighting and FCC/FAA compliance) intended to limit community impacts.

Next steps: Staff will record approvals and proceed with permitting and required inspections for the tower and subsequent land use changes.