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Neighbor says proposed tower’s fall zone could reach his property; applicant says tower is engineered to collapse inward
Summary
A nearby landowner, Todd Adams, told the commission he fears the proposed 420‑foot tower could fall onto his field and asked who would be responsible for deep foundations left after prior work; Dominion’s agent said engineers certify a "0 fall radius" and that a fall‑zone letter was filed.
Todd Adams, who owns land adjacent to the proposed tower site on Ellington Road, told the Planning Commission that the proposed tower would sit about 195 feet from the shared property line and that, "it's gonna fall 229 foot into my field," estimating roughly 2.82 acres could be affected if the tower failed.
Adams also questioned access and easements (saying crews had driven across his field), asked who would bear long‑term responsibility for buried tower foundations he said were left during prior work, and expressed concern that application materials inconsistently listed which existing towers would be removed.
Harold Timmons, the applicant's agent, responded that the tower is designed with a "0 fall radius, which means it will collapse upon itself," that the applicant filed a certified fall‑zone letter prepared by engineers, and that Dominion carries liability insurance to cover damage if a catastrophic failure occurred. Timmons also said the proposal includes removal of the existing guide‑wire structure and the 200‑foot tower and replacement with the 420‑foot lattice tower.
The commission heard the resident's concerns and the applicant's engineering explanation and evidence; the commission ultimately voted to recommend disapproval to the Board of Supervisors with additional conditions, including that any setback reduction be approved by the Board.
