After neighbors raised concerns about visual wilting about the planned cellular tower near the Lumpkin County Line, members of the Dawson County Planning Commission denied the structural differences on November 16.
During the meeting, they also suggested that the committee reject the special permission to use the structure at the voting meeting on December 16.
The proposed location of the tower is near the intersection of Ga. 52 and Wesley Chapel Road. The difference will allow the precise location of the tower to be slightly less than the three-mile distance required from the existing tower.
Attorney David Kirk, representing his client and Verizon representing Greg Spence, said that currently, there is a tower supporting Verizon 5 miles northeast of the proposed site.
The voting results of the Planning Committee were all 3-0, and Chairman Jason Hamby abstained. The second district commissioner John Maloney was absent.
Although he did not vote, Hamby shared his thoughts because the proposed location of the tower is in his area.
"As far as the people in Dawson County are concerned, you will only reach a few people," Hamby said.
Kirk insisted that the shape of the tower would direct most of the service signals to Dawson County. In addition to Verizon, if the new tower is built, the other three service operators can also choose to join.
He added that his client had seen a tower about 4 miles from the proposed site, and Verizon could have joined the tower.
Although this will be a cheaper option and can add services faster, he said that building there will not bring better services to the target area.
The adjacent residential agricultural area does allow the cellular tower to be placed on a site like the proposed one as a special purpose, covering 59 acres.
However, planning the tower at different locations on the plot may mean placing it at a lower height, which must be compensated by the increased height. According to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, towers 200 feet or higher must have day and night lights.