Wireless Properties of Chattanooga is asking to erect an unlighted, 180-foot brown monopole cell tower on property that fronts on Fox Hollow Road. The site is on a 1700-foot knob just outside the Townsend city limits in Blount County.
The two lawmakers are encouraging the Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals to consider approving so-called "stealth" cell phone towers instead of traditional towers that some say would damage the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. One recommendation that's being proposed is a cell tower that looks like a tree - similar to the one in the photo on the right.
Matt Bates, vice president of Wireless Properties, said the company is taking steps to make the tower as unobtrusive as possible. “The tower, of course, has to be above the tree line to work properly,” he said. “It’s going to be seen from some areas. By painting the tower brown, it’s going to blend in with the mountains that are much, much taller.”
The tower would provide better coverage for Townsend, according to Bates. “It’s going to cover a majority of the Townsend city limits area,” he said. “It’s going to saturate Highway 321 and those surrounding businesses and homes with good coverage.”
The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a hearing tonight to consider the application. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in Room 430 of the Blount County Courthouse.
WVLT posted the letter Sen. Alexander and Rep. Duncan sent to the Blount County BZA chairman on their website:
December 2, 2009
Rob Walker
Chairman
Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals
237 Meadow Road
Friendsville, TN 37737
Dear Rob,
A number of Tennesseans have raised concerns with us about the proposed 180 foot cell tower on a 1700 foot knob just outside of the City of Townsend which is a subject of your hearing on December 3.
We are writing because we believe there are several good ways to expand cell service without damaging the historic and scenic character of the Townsend area and this popular entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For example, Germantown outside Memphis has approved a 100 foot tall six carrier tower camouflaged as a pine tree. Another city uses three flags poles which are 85 feet tall. A growing number of cities are approving such “stealth towers” which are barely noticeable.
Other cities require several carriers to locate together on an existing tower or structure to avoid building several towers. Many cities require that towers be much smaller than the 180 foot tower proposed for Townsend.
We have enclosed photographs of these “stealth towers” and articles describing how other cities are using them. One of the articles describes how AT&T is putting up 70 foot tall cell phone antenna that will be disguised as a giant flagpole.
The City of Townsend has worked hard to preserve its historic and scenic character. Its own zoning ordinances would require cell towers to “blend into the immediate environment” and be “as inconspicuous as possible.” The county’s own regulations require towers to “blend in.” For 25 years the state and county have worked together to prevent eyesores along Highway 321 and create one of the most attractive entrances to any national park.
The issue of cell towers will be coming up more often as cell service expands into rural areas. We doubt that most East Tennesseans are looking forward to seeing a huge cell tower between themselves and their views of the Smokies. Over 1.4 million visitors a year who enter the Great Smokies through Townsend, and who create good jobs, come to see the mountains, not cell towers.
While this is a local and not a federal decision, it would be our hope that county officials would take into account the various ways that exist to improve cell phone service without damaging the historic and scenic character of one of the most beautiful parts of our country.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Lamar Alexander
United States Senator
and
John Duncan, Jr.
Member of Congress
Commentary:
On the one hand, cell phone coverage in Townsend would obviously benefit the people that live in the area, as well as travelers. Additionally, it may help someone someday in an emergency situation, such as a lost or injured hiker. However, I think most would agree that cell towers are unsightly and would harm the views for people in and outside of the park. My first reaction to this issue is to not allow the building of the towers for aesthetic reasons.
Having said all that, I do think that the solution proposed by the congressmen merit a reconsideration. On the surface, it appears to be a pretty good compromise, if indeed a tower can be camouflaged as a tree and blend into the natural surroundings.
What's your opinion? Is this a viable solution?
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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