The Jones Creek clubhouse wasn’t the only item on the agenda at the Columbia County Planning Commission’s meeting, Thursday evening, even it proved the most controversial. The board also voted in favor of a new cell tower in Appling, with applicants hoping the structure could help increase access to emergency services.
New York-based Tillman Infrastructure, Inc. submitted to request to rezone a property off Cobbham Road from Residential Agricultural to S-1 special in September of last year. The item had been tabled until Thursday’s meeting.
The company aims to build a 250-foot self-support wireless tower with a 10 foot lightning rod for AT&T. The parcel, located near the intersection of Rousseau Creek and Cobbham Roads, is some 132 acres, though the application is only requesting to rezone a 0.25-acre portion on its north side.
Andy Rotenstreich, a Birmingham, Ala., attorney representing Tillman Infrastructure, noted in a letter accompanying the rezoning application that AT&T is seeking to build on the site to improve coverage and capacity issues due to increased wireless congestion.
MORE: Columbia County Planning Commission approves PUD revision for Jones Creek clubhouse
“We hear about a lack of broadband coverage in rural areas; AT&T is trying to fix that,” said Rotenstreich, speaking before the commissioners. “In order to fix that we’re requesting this tower.”
William Dozier Jr., the owner of the property and a co-applicant, stressed the potential benefit of closing gaps in coverage in the area. His father, William Dozier Sr., died in an accident in December of last year. While Dozier Jr. did not attribute the accident to lack of cell service, he did say to the commissioners that coverage is a factor when tending to emergencies.
“We’re trying to get 911, and itt took about seven or eight minutes, because we got we couldn’t get through,” Dozier said. “Not that that caused his death; I’m not saying that by any stretch. But to give you a real-life example of what happens when that emergency service is not ready.”
Tillman also submitted a variance request to allow for its planned 260 feet, despite the county ordinance limiting telecommunications structures to 150 feet. Rotenstreich argued that the higher height would secure greater coverage.
The planning staff recommended approval for the rezoning, but disapproval for the variance request. However, planning manager Will Butler did acknowledge the superior coverage of the planned tower, as well as the thorough research data the Tillman and company supplied with their application.
Ultimately the commissioners voted unanimously in favor of both the variance and the rezoning requests. The items are scheduled to go before the Board of Commissioners on March 7.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
