Agenda - 05-24-2004-D.1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

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