Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The 4-2 vote came after questions from four neighbors about possible electronic interference from the tower and concerns from commission members about the proliferation of towers in Montgomery.
The vote also came with three members absent, the same ones who helped recommend approval of another radio tower in August by a 5-4 vote. Commission Chairman Malvin Wells and Richard Daub were in the minority Monday.
The Board of Supervisors should make a final decision Dec. 12. In September, the supervisors approved an earlier special-use permit to build a 180-foot FM tower atop Price Mountain by two 6-0 votes.
Monday's rejection surprised officials with New River Media Group Inc., who want to build the new tower to replace their current one for WJJJ (1260 AM) on North Franklin Street in Christiansburg. New River is also planning the Price Mountain tower for WVVV (104.9 FM) and owns WPSK (107.1 FM).
"The concerns about interference, we just feel like there will really not be any problems at all," said Gary Hearl of the Richlands-based firm. "The station has been there for 40 years in Christiansburg and as far as I know has never had an interference problem. The proof's in the pudding already, I believe."
Hearl and two other New River Media officials spoke in favor of the project at a Monday public hearing. Lynn and Mildred Gordon and two other neighbors raised questions about interference and the availability of a station engineer should problems develop. The site is at 1226 Walton Road, located in a rural area between Peppers Ferry Road and U.S. 11 about five miles west of Christiansburg and one mile east of the New River.
New River Media's Ron Dayle said the new tower, already approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would give WJJJ the best signal it has had in 20 years. He said there could be interference within a few hundred feet of the tower base, but only on the AM radio band. The tower would be in the middle of an isolated, 4.6-acre site owned by Carl and Brenda DeHart.
by CNB