The BOCC approved an ordinance to control placement of communication towers on public right-of-ways. The State Legislature has mandated that local governments must accept the 100 – 200 feet tall towers, without the communication company having to purchase or lease the land. Commissioners see this as a danger to public safety as right of ways are of different widths and the towers may be placed near residential and business areas.
Currently there are five applications for installation of the towers in the county. The towers are designed to improve reception for wireless companies and move them away from “piggybacking” with the larger companies.
The commissioners expressed concern for drivers, but County Attorney Garth Coller remarked that their opinions had been “preempted” by the State. With everyone wanting cellular coverage and access any time, Assistant County Attorney Randall Griffiths stated, “It’s the future.”
Commissioner Nicholson was angry with the State Legislature’s mandate, stating it was telling the county, “We are not allowed to save people’s lives…to protect our citizens, to stop parents from losing their child by running into one of these things in their car…these are obstacles within our right of way.” The only recourse to the County is to dictate where the towers can be placed.
Assistant County Administrator Brian Malmberg stated the proposed ordinance requires “clear zones” which are included in guidelines that correspond to the posted speed on the road, so some right-of-ways may not be wide enough to accommodate the tower.
Commissioner Rowden suggested taking pictures of the towers and sending them to the legislators from the area. Property owners have had to take down trees along the right-of-way for public safety needs, and if the towers are allowed there, that could cause a problem. Griffiths advised that citizens need to let Malmberg’s office know if the towers are erected as some have gone up without making application to the county.