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BY TODD FORTUNE
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The Rappahannock Planning Commission addressed telecommunications towers and commercial areas during its August meeting.
The commission unanimously passed a resolution to advertise for a public hearing on the local telecommunications ordinance. The Planning Commission will hold their public hearing at its next meeting, Sept. 15 at the courthouse. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the matter at its October meeting.
The ordinance was the main topic of discussion for the evening. County Administrator John McCarthy informed the board that one major change had been made.
The ordinance divides wireless services facilities into four categories. Category one facilities will be placed entirely in or on existing structures with little or no change to the structure’s outside appearance. Category two facilities are placed in or on structures erected or modified to disguise the appearance (silos, fake trees, bams, etc.).
Category three facilities are placed on or near existing structures, and Will increase the height of the structure by no more than 20 feet with a total height of no more than 199 feet. Category four facilities include all other facilities, such as antennas or antenna support structures.
Originally, the ordinance required administrative approval only on everything except category four facilities. Now, however, all four categories will require a special exception.
The commission recommended a number of changes, some of which were just changes in wording. There were a few additions, however. “Butch” Zindel thought that any outof-state applicants should be required to have an agent located in Virginia.
Tom Tepper commented that the ordinance did a pretty good job of trying to balance enhancement of public safety with preserving the overall view shed of the county. He suggested a few modifications, including a requirement that rooftop structures be screened. McCarthy plans to have all of the revisions done in time for the September meeting.
Commercial areas
Each district representative submitted names of individuals to study village areas in the county. The groups will study current zoning in
See TOWER, Page A6
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