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17 <br />5. Open space should continue to be required as part of the land development approval <br />process. <br />6. Additional space may be needed in the next few years in the community center at Efland- <br />Cheeks Park. Space needs should be monitored so that monies for expansion can be <br />included in the county's Capital Facilities budget when additional space becomes <br />necessary. <br />7. The county should consider including a branch library at the Efland-Cheeks Park & <br />Community Center. <br />F. Communications <br />Objective: Provision of ahigh-quality communications system that will meet the needs of <br />business, industry, and residents. <br />Communication systems are an important aspect of attracting commercial uses to appropriate <br />sections of the planning area. Factors such as wireless communication, high-speed internet <br />access, and state-of--the-art communication infrastructure are analyzed by businesses and <br />residents considering locating in a given area. <br />Technology is changing at anever-increasing rate and keeping abreast of changes can be <br />essential to staying competitive. In emergency situations, functioning communication systems <br />can literally be the difference between life and death. Within the planning area, cellular phone <br />coverage is currently sufficient. However, there are areas adjacent to the planning area that lack <br />proper coverage. Given the nature of communication systems, some of the following <br />recommendations extend outside of the planning area and are recommendations regarding a <br />countywide policy to improve access to communication technology. <br />1. Achieving full cellular wireless coverage countywide should be a priority. A <br />Telecommunications Plan that will achieve this objective should be developed and <br />implemented. In order to minimize the number offree-standing towers necessary for <br />antennas, the county should work with the power companies to allow wireless <br />communication antennas on existing transmission line structures. <br />2. DSL and/or cable Internet service is needed, at a minimum, in areas targeted for growth. <br />These services are particularly vital for commercial or industrial uses although providing <br />these services to residential uses should also be considered. The county should work <br />with the providers of these services to ensure that necessary infrastructure is extended to <br />growth areas. <br />3. The county should consider asking providers of wireless communication services to <br />install generator backup instead of battery backup at cellular switch sites. During <br />75 <br />