ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - The Roanoke County Planning Commission is waiting on more information before moving forward on the request for a 195-foot cell tower in Bonsack.
The commission expected to see the results of a National Environmental Policy Act, required by the Federal Communications Act and Historic Resource studies at its meeting Tuesday. They would look at historical resources, flood plains and anything else that might be perceived as a negative environmental impact on the site, explained planning commission vice chairman Rick James.
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"We were hoping it would have been (presented) last night. That is something that the county had requested. We didn't know until the meeting in fact whether or not that information would be presented. Regretfully it was not."
The two studies are two to four weeks from completion.
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION DELAYS DECISION ON PROPOSED CELL TOWER
In order for Morgan ventures, LLC or any other entity to get a Special Use Permit, there has to be proof of purpose and need, James said. Morgan Ventures filed an application in October on behalf of AT&T saying it was required by the provider "to fill a void in services that would allow continuity in coverage for e911 emergency calls."
AT&T spokeswoman Gayle Kansagor told WSLS Tuesday, AT&T is no longer interested and shared that with Morgan Ventures back in November, she said.
An attorney for Morgan Ventures adamantly denies ever being told that.
When asked if AT&T change of plans made a difference to the commission, James said, "Anyone can apply for special use permit for a given purpose. In this case we're talking about the purpose and need of a cell tower so obviously if a tower is proposed without a user it makes the argument for purpose and need pretty difficult to prove."
Morgan Ventures' lawyer, Tom Terell argued AT&T is still paying rent on the site.
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AT&T reiterated its position Wednesday, sending an updated statement: "In February, 2014, when AT&T was interested in the site on Bonsack Rd, we signed a lease, which included monthly financial obligations. On-going rental payments reflect fulfillment of that obligation, rather than any current interest. In November 2014, AT&T communicated to Morgan Ventures that the company was no longer interested in placing equipment on the site. To be clear: AT&T is no longer interested in the site and now has no future plans to place our equipment on the proposed Bonsack Rd tower."
Jamed said he can't speak for the other four commission members and said it would be premature to speak on whether the proposal would be approved without a user, like AT&T, on board and without reviewing all the data.
The commission continued the public hearing until April 7, 2015 to give members and the public a chance to review the new information.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors hearing is moved to April 28, 2015.