Bedford County to review two cell phone towers

By Justin Faulconer

Published: August 24, 2008

Bedford County officials tonight will review two proposed 80-foot cell phone towers in areas that could extend coverage along Virginia 24 and Virginia 122.

Requests for such towers have recently become common, as AT&T Mobility and New Cingular Wireless have planned to build eight new facilities along those corridors. The Board of Supervisors in June approved special-use permits for several towers included in the plan.

The two tower permits under the board’s review tonight are located on Virginia 122 between 1205 and 1153 Bowyer’s Loop and Meadors Spur Road just off Virginia 24.

The review will include two separate public hearings on the tower proposals. The topic has drawn mixed reactions from county residents in the past year.

Some have verbally supported them due to a service necessity, especially in emergencies, while others consider them “eyesores” and a threat to property values.

The Bedford County Planning Commission was as divided on the two permits going before supervisors tonight.

Commission members in June recommended approval for the tower on Meadors Spur Road but that same evening turned down the proposal for the Virginia 122 site, citing concerns over its visibility from the road.

Supervisors will also hear from a consultant specializing in tower reviews.

Also tonight, the board will recognize Jim McCabe, who stepped down from the Bedford County Industrial Development Authority after serving 16 years.

if you’re going

- The Board of Supervisors will meet tonight at 7:30 on the top floor of county administration offices at 122 E. Main St. in the city of Bedford.

- To view the agenda, visit http://www.co.bedford.com and click on the Board of Supervisors link.

- Sign-up sheets are provided for all those wishing to speak.