Harrison council approves zoning change to permit communication transmitters and towers

The Harrison City Council on Oct. 10, 2024 approved an amendment to Ordinance #490 to allow communication transmitters and towers in the Light Manufacturing zoning district. The motion to adopt the amendment was made by Councilmember Josephine Prophet and seconded by Debbie Lockhart; Joe Cornell recused himself from the vote. The motion passed after Mayor Wanda Irish broke a tie by voting AYE.

Verizon Wireless representatives gave a short presentation to the council described in the minutes as a health-and-safety overview on radiofrequency exposure and a review of health studies. The minutes record that "Verizon Wireless Representatives gave a small presentation about Health and Safety about Radiofrequency Exposure from Proposed Base Station and Review of Health Studies." The council’s recorded vote was: Debbie Lockhart AYE, Charlie Shutt NAY, John Gray NAY, Josephine Prophet AYE; Mayor Wanda Irish broke the tie by voting AYE. Joe Cornell is recorded as recusing himself from this vote.

Supporters of the amendment argued it would permit communications infrastructure in zoned light-manufacturing areas; opponents on the council voted NAY. The minutes do not record any effective date for the ordinance or further conditions; the ordinance number and adopted text reference (Ordinance #490) are noted in the record but the minutes do not provide the ordinance’s effective date or any implementation schedule.

The council’s action changes permitted uses within the Light Manufacturing zoning district by explicitly adding communication transmitters and towers. The minutes do not record public testimony for or against the amendment beyond the Verizon presentation.