The Jackson County Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, November 14 during the Jackson County Commission’s regular monthly meeting. The hearing was to discuss approval of a Wireless Telecommunications Facility Tower which would be located at 5037 Hwy 77 in an unincorporated area in Graceville.
Several concerns were voiced during the meeting as well as information on what the county has the right to approve and regulate. This first to speak was Ruth Ann and Wendell Wilkes. Ruth Ann began, “we are not objecting to the placement of the tower just the location choice”. She spoke about many things that worried her including the fact that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) only monitors a “general tower database on the following structures, number one, any towers over 200 feet”. The current tower is proposed to be 199 feet.
Wilkes also went over some studies that have found, “significant harm to humans” that were living in close proximity to cell towers. She stated a German study found, “cancer rates more than tripled among people living within 1300 feet of cell towers or antennas.” She added that “Radiation in the inter area are 100 times greater than in the outer area.” She ended mentioning that their home was within 900 feet and there was also a tenant living on the property as well.
Wendell Wilkes spoke next starting, “I knew nothing about cell towers to be honest with you.” He researched and had spoken to a representative on the matter as well as others and most commented that, “it’s less dangerous than power lines”. He went on to speak about others living less than 1,000 feet from where the tower will be placed and commented that a fellow neighbor had called the planning committee and relayed that “he was told pretty much there was nothing he could do, nothing”. He relayed that he had spoken to fellow neighbors who all were concerned about the placement. He also commented that a representative from Blue Sky Towers contacted him stating that “Verizon had a gap in coverage” and that it could not be prohibited according to Wilkes.
Commissioner Paul Donofro noted that it was his understanding “that we do not have to approve this, this particular location. Again, I could be wrong, I’ll have to defer to our attorney. But I think we have to give them the opportunity to, if we deny approving this particular location, we have to give them the opportunity to provide an alternative location in an area that will still allow them to provide the service.” Wilkes mainly wanted the commission to know they did have a choice. It was asked to the county attorney Michelle Jordan if it could be denied with her commenting, “not if the basis of the denial is environment effects, which currently is read to broadly include the effects of human health.”
Wilkes ended noting that there were other properties that were available near the same location but without homes in that 1300 feet. Danny Wilkes also spoke directly after reiterating that it’s not the tower they object to but the placement of it because of the homes that are near the current proposed location.
James Watford was the next to speak. He noted that his home is right next to the tower, “I know it’s going to affect me, if what I’m hearing is right”. He also mentioned that he didn’t know about the tower until just a couple days ago and that the morning time meeting caused several to not be able to attend because of work responsibilities. He also stated he had fears about the tower’s proximity to the local church, Damascus Baptist in Graceville.
Owner of the property Gwen Young also spoke. She noted that her and her husband want the tower on their property, and they have “done months and months and months of research. This is not something I took lightly. I have relatives that live within this area, I have very good friends who live within this area. We would never, ever think about putting something that would endanger these people. I have done my research as well.” She went on to add, “They are wanting to reject this tower because of the omissions that are coming from that tower. That is not something that is in your purview to decide.”
She continued, “I just want to tell you after talking with Blue Sky for a long, long time, I feel confident that they have done their research.” She then noted that just last week the planning commission approved this for recommendation and that towers are put on top of schools and hospitals. She finished, “If you have cell phones in your home and you keep that to your head, and you have microwaves, and you have smart TVs in your home then you’re getting more omissions right there in your house then you are that is going to come from cell towers. So, we need to know all the facts.”
Attorney Mary Solik from Blue Sky Towers then spoke via Zoom. Solik commented, “The telecommunications act does include a provision that prohibits local governments from approving or denying applications based on their health effects. And that was mainly the concerns that you heard today.” She also noted that while another location option was given, when Blue Sky Towers came in, they received the county code which pertained to cell towers and “Your code does not prohibit towers in residential areas. Your code does provide for residential setbacks, there is residential zone setbacks.” She noted that the citizens’ concerns did not meet the zone setbacks therefore the application was based off of the county’s code that has been set. Commissioner McKinnie asked if there had been any other locations considered with Solik noting that yes there had been one in Graceville, but the property owner declined placement.
The commissioners spoke briefly on their thoughts and feelings on the tower before taking a vote. County Attorney Michelle Jordan noted, “There has been nothing raised today that in my opinion would justify denial of this particular development agreement.” “The County Commission voted to approve the Wireless Telecommunications Facility Tower, three to two with Commissioner McKinnie and Commission Peacock voting “no”. Commissioner Peacock also made a motion for staff to research the health concerns dealing with cell towers for future county ordinance and code review. All voted to approve the research unanimously. The County Commission Meeting can be viewed online in its entirety at the Jackson County Commission YouTube page.
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