PARKERSBURG - Wood County Planning Commission approved construction of a cell tower in Davisville following a public hearing on the tower application Wednesday night.
Approval by planners is contingent upon AT&T allowing space on the tower for Wood County Emergency Services equipment if needed. The applicant, GPD Group, also is to provide a required written assessment of the surrounding area, describing occupied properties within 110 percent of the height of the facility.
This is needed in the event of the tower's collapse to assure there is an adequate buffer zone between the tower and adjoining properties and structures.
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Ed Block, with the engineering firm of Black and Veatch, outlined plans for a new AT&T cell tower in Davisville during a public hearing Wednesday before Wood County Planning Commission.
Ed Block, with the engineering firm of Black and Veatch, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, which is providing the engineering services for the project, told planners the surrounding property is basically a wooded area and adjoining property owners have given verbal consent regarding the tower.
The tower is to be constructed at 7002 Staunton Ave. in Davisville.
"AT&T determined there was a lack of coverage in this area and a lack of towers in the vicinity. It was determined the north side of the Kanawha was an idea site," he said.
Block said Claywood Park Public Service District was contacted about possible use of an existing nearby water tower site. Block told planners the PSD officials said they could not commit to a lease that exceeded one year.
Block said typically the initial lease of property for cell tower sites is 10 years, with multiple five-year contracts following that time period.
The tower will be about 285 feet in height.
The towers are designed for multiple carriers, Block said.
"The county cell tower ordinance is aimed at reducing the total number of towers by encouraging consolidation and co-habitation on each tower," said county engineer Bill Brown, who reviewed the applications and plans.
No one appeared during the public hearing portion of the planning commission meeting to object or comment on the tower application.
