The zoning board tabled a decision on a variance request for a T-Mobile cell tower that is strongly opposed by residents living in the area. The board approved rezoning to the Bisson Woods mixed-use development and updates to the subdivision and RV ordinances.
Every seat in the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board meeting room was filled with more residents spilling out into the lobby, all wearing red shirts displaying a cell tower that read, “Vote no! Don’t let them tower over us!”
About 30 people attended Thursday night's zoning meeting, many of them against a request from TowerCo for T-Mobile to place a 255-foot cell tower off Melton Road. While county zoning rules require towers of that height to be at least 755 feet from residences, the proposed tower would be just 283 feet away from the nearest home.
According to the original zoning board application, the “site is essential for T-Mobile to provide wireless service in this area of the county,” and represents “the only viable location available.”
According to residents at the meeting, a 250-foot balloon test representing the tower’s height was conducted to simulate the presence of the tower. It was visible from several properties, but neighbors said the demonstration did not reflect the impact of the tower at night due to lights on the structure.
Two attorneys representing both sides attended the meeting. The attorney representing T-Mobile said the tower is necessary to improve T-Mobile’s service coverage and the location is the only option.
However, the board decided to table the cell tower’s variance request and the conditional use request until the board’s next meeting on Nov. 20 due to new materials submitted the afternoon of the meeting.
“I personally think we need to let everybody get on the same page amongst all y’all,” said J.F. Hansford, a member of the zoning board. “Give (the attorneys) time for who you’re representing, to talk to these people and vice versa, and I think we’ll have a little better opinion on things after that.”
Rezoning approved for Bisson Woods
The board approved a major rezoning for the proposed Bisson Woods mixed-use development.
Submitted by SPG Planners & Engineers, the rezoning changes land from A2 (general agriculture) to PD/R-3 (planned development with multi-family residential overlay).
First presented before the board in May, the proposal was tabled due to concerns about the lack of an emergency exit.
Developers have resolved this issue by adding an emergency exit onto Bisson Woods Road. To address concerns from nearby residents about potential traffic congestion, the exit will only be used for emergencies.
“It’s a great location, close to the schools, close to the grocery store,” said Janet Hill, a member of the zoning board. “It is consistent with our idea of having the density close to the towns and where there’s water and sewer, so we’re not having endless septic tanks and wells out the country in little subdivisions.”
Once completed, the development will be next to Oglethorpe County High School and include a walking path connecting the two.
Subdivision, RV ordinances updated
The board approved updates to the county’s subdivision ordinance, requiring the division of land into three or more lots be reviewed by both the zoning board and Board of Commissioners, which will allow for more input on large housing development projects.
“It needs to come before the public,” said Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance. “Those people that live on that road need a right to say, ‘I don't want 25 more houses on my road.’”
The ordinance allows minor subdivisions where pieces of land are split into three or fewer lots, as long as a new road isn’t built and an existing road isn’t changed. The lots must meet all other zoning requirements.
The zoning board also approved revisions to the recreational vehicle ordinance.
Under new rules, travel trailers and RVs cannot be used as permanent homes. Occupancy beyond 90 days is considered permanent and prohibited, except if someone is building a house on the same property with a valid building permit. In that case, they may stay for up to a year.
All approved items will move on to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.