TITLE
Vote on a request to approve a quasi-judicial request by Chatham County Emergency Management on a conditional use permit for a new proposed 300 foot communications tower to be located at the new proposed Emergency Operations Center, Parcel No. 12481, 188 Innovation Way, being approximately 272 acres, Hickory Mountain Township.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Vote on a request to approve a quasi-judicial request by Chatham County Emergency Management on a conditional use permit for a new proposed 300 foot communications tower to be located at the new proposed Emergency Operations Center, Parcel No. 12481, 188 Innovation Way, being approximately 272 acres, Hickory Mountain Township.
Introduction & Background:
A quasi-judicial public hearing was held August 17, 2020. Planning staff presented the application and Emergency Operations Director, Mike Reitz, commented. No other persons spoke.
In the Spring of 2019, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved a text amendment to allow communication towers for purposes of emergency facilities to exceed the 300 foot limit to allow them up to 400 feet. The Board also approved a capital improvement budget item for five such towers to be located in various areas of the county where communication issues exist and to be able to upgrade radio equipment in order to keep up to date with the new technology for emergency services.
Since then Chatham County has purchased a 200+ acre tract with future plans for a new Emergency Operations Center, school administration building, and potentially a government services building. The tract will be subdivided at a later date for each prospective user and the communications tower will be located on the new parcel for the EOC. This tower is proposed to be 300 feet.
The Planning Board reviewed the item during their regularly scheduled meeting on September 1, 2020 and reviewed the application and all supporting materials. There was little discussion and no concerns regarding the new...
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