Title
Vote to adopt a resolution to approve a request by Southern Towers BTS, LP for a Special Use Permit for a new 285 ft wireless telecommunications tower on Parcel 60359, located at 4162 Bonlee Bennett Rd., being an area of .66 acres out of the 29-acre tract, Bear Creek Township
Abstract
Introduction & Background:
A quasi-judicial public hearing was held June 17, 2014. Planning staff presented the request. The applicant was not able to be present and one adjacent landowner, Calvin Marsh was present and spoke. His concerns are related to the risks of radiation to his family and neighbors. The BOC continued the public hearing until July 15th for the applicant to be advised of the concern and for the adjacent landowners to provide additional comment in the record.
July 15, 2024, the public hearing resumed, and three adjacent landowners spoke, Calvin Marsh from 337 Farmers Dr and Tracy and Gwendolyn Hanner from 4320 Bonlee Bennett Road. They both cited previous health issues and wanted to know how much electro-radiation is possible from this site. Mr. Hanner stated that his research revealed that residences within 500 meters of a telecommunications tower could be susceptible to potential health risks, especially to those with compromised immune systems. Mrs. Hanner spoke on the family heritage on their property, that the new owner of the parcel where the proposed tower is to be located is only concerned about money and not the people who live there, and that she believed the tower would reduce property values.
Also present were the applicant, Tami Lewallen, agent for the tower company, Matthew Butcher, RF Engineer, Richard Kirkland, Kirkland Appraisals, LLC, and Donnie Pell, owner of Southern Towers. Mr. Butcher and Mr. Kirkland both provided official reports that show no immediate health risks associated with the tower and no adverse effect on property values due to a cell tower being near residences. Those reports are located on the county planning webpage.
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