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195 <br />the County does not encourage cell towers where they have an adverse visual impact on <br />an identified natural area, recreational facility, or historic site. He would like to have a <br />different version of the map that identified those kinds of sites in a different color to see if <br />he wanted to keep them on this map. Craig Benedict said that they have narrowed down <br />some sites that are environmentally sensitive, etc. Commissioner Jacobs would still like to <br />see the color -coded map. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he is very supportive of having voluntary agriculture <br />districts be put on this map. He also knows that the owner can withdraw from being a <br />voluntary agriculture district with practically no notice, and there might need to be some <br />kind of arrangement with the Agricultural Preservation Board to make the voluntary <br />agriculture districts in the MTP a little more concrete. <br />Noah Ranells agreed with Commissioner Jacobs about the voluntary agriculture districts. <br />He said that this might be a good time to promote voluntary agriculture districts to let <br />farmers know that there is some benefit. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that the CHCCS has located a cell tower on the athletic field <br />lighting at Culbreth Middle School. He suggested asking the school system what they are <br />receiving as compensation. He made reference to the tower in Efland that is red and he <br />asked about the regulations for color. Craig Benedict said that there is review for tower <br />color and design. He said that with the new regulations, tower attachments are <br />encouraged on power transmission poles. <br />Public Comment: <br />Elizabeth Walters said that, as a member of the Farmland Preservation Board, she <br />supports the MTP to allow towers on farms in voluntary agriculture districts. She said that <br />she and her husband support this part of the plan. She said that, although a tower will' <br />probably never be built on their farm, a tower is needed in the northern part of the County. <br />She has spoken to a few farmers that have a tower on their farm and they say that the <br />money helps them hold onto their farms and continue to farm. She urged the County <br />Commissioners to support the MTP. <br />Bob Strayhorn is a farmer on New Hope Church Road and has a tower on his farm. He <br />said that they considered putting the tower on their farm because they would do anything to <br />keep from having to sell their land. He said that it is not the golden goose,, but it is better <br />than his social security. He said that the voluntary agriculture district does not offer alot <br />except for a commitment to the people that own the land that it will not be sold for <br />subdivisions. He has always thought that if there was a little more to offer people in the <br />voluntary agriculture districts that more people would sign up. He said that they involved <br />every neighbor on their road in considering the tower and no one objected to it and he let <br />them pick the site. He spoke in support of the MTP. <br />Joyce Garrett said that it is critical to maintain an environment where people can get away <br />from everything and see something that is not manmade. There are a lot of towers and <br />already present elevated structures (telecommunication towers, water towers, electrical <br />poles, etc.). She would like to encourage the telecommunication industry to use existing <br />structures. She was under the impression that this map deemed these sites as already <br />approved and would not necessitate notice to the adjoining landowners or to the public. <br />She thinks that cell towers have a larger area that is affected than 1,000 feet. She asked <br />ig <br />