ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 1996 TAG: 9611050097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
A PLAN FOR an antenna tower on Poor Mountain got a better reception than one for a tower at Catawba.
Roanoke County Planners gave their blessing to a communication tower proposed for Poor Mountain Tuesday night but split over a request for another tower near Dragon's Tooth.
The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve a request from Norfolk Southern to build a 170-foot microwave transmitter tower on Poor Mountain.
However, members split 2-2 on U.S. Cellular's petition to build a 190-foot cellular tower at the intersection of Virginia 311 and Newport Road near Catawba.
Martha Hooker of the Catawba District and Don Witt of Cave Spring voted to recommend denial, saying they were concerned about the tower's impact on the beauty of the area. Chairman Al Thomason of Windsor Hills and Kyle Robinson of Vinton favored the request because of the need for cellular service in Catawba and Craig County and because the cellular company agreed to screen the site and make other accommodations so the tower is less visible.
Todd Ross of Hollins was absent.
The planners were already thinking about the likelihood that tower requests will increase over the next several years. They encouraged both U.S. Cellular and Norfolk Southern to consider sharing space on existing towers so that fewer new towers will be needed.
Representatives for U.S. Cellular said they would design their tower with a capacity to support up to three other carriers. In Norfolk Southern's case, planners suggested that the railroad company not tear down an existing 112-foot tower on Poor Mountain they intended to replace with the new one. Instead, planners proposed that they keep the old tower and lease it to other companies.
There was no opposition to the Norfolk Southern tower. However, the Dragon's Tooth tower drew a handful both for and against the proposal.
Dale Ayres, president of the Catawba Valley Civic League, said he made an informal telephone survey of about 25 of his members and found them evenly split between supporters, opponents and those who chose to remain neutral.
Supporters expressed concern about the need for cellular phone service in an area where telephone lines are frequently down during winter storms. Opponents said they wanted to protect the views along Virginia 311, which is designated a Scenic By-way by the state.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB