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Board approves communication‑tower text amendment by special‑use permit and allows kennel expansion
Summary
In a joint public hearing, the Board and Planning Commission approved adding 'Communication Tower' by Special Use Permit in Conservation/Recreation districts at the recommendation of staff and the Planning Commission, and granted a Special Use Permit to expand the Cregger kennel.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission held a joint public hearing Jan. 22 and approved two land‑use actions.
Assistant County Administrator Clegg Williams said American Electric Power approached the county seeking to allow communication towers in Conservation/Recreation (C/R) districts by Special Use Permit; the Ordinance Committee recommended the change to allow towers to be considered by permit. During public comment Dr. Charles Wassum raised concerns about "the effects of electromagnetic waves sent from these towers." Commissioners and several supervisors expressed support for the text amendment on the basis that improved cell coverage would aid emergency response. The Board voted to adopt the Planning Commission’s recommendation and add "Communication Tower" as a permitted use by Special Use Permit in Conservation/Recreation districts.
In the same joint hearing the Board approved a Special Use Permit from Brian and Brandi Cregger to expand their commercial kennel to add an indoor activity room; Cregger said the business boarded "928 pets over the past two years" from Smyth and Washington counties. Planning commissioners asked about facility features and perimeter fencing, and the permit was approved following the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
Both items were taken up and acted upon the same evening after the Planning Commission’s review; the Board waived the rules of public hearing to take action Jan. 22 and voted unanimously on both items.
