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By Ron Fitzwater
The Ashe County Planning Board's April 2 session was called
to order by board vice-chair Darrell Hamilton, although chair
Rick Surber was in attendance. The reason for the unusual board
configuration was to permit Hamilton to continue to chair the
held-over public hearing on the North Carolina State Highway
Patrol's request of a variance in the height of a proposed new
communications tower on Phoenix Mountain.
As previously reported, Trooper Lane McNeil, on behalf of the
NCSHP, requested a variance to the ordinance requirement that
limits the height of a communications tower to no more than
150 feet. The trooper's request is for a variance of 30 feet
allowing for the construction of a 180 foot communications tower
on Phoenix Mountain that would be used by multiple non-profit
entities including Ashe County first-responders.
In 2002, the state legislature mandated the creation of a statewide
800 Megahertz (MHz) radio system for all emergency responders.
The program was named Voice Interoperable Plan for Emergency
Responders, or VIPER.
The system, once completed, will ensure that North Carolina
emergency responders will be able to communicate during emergency
situations, natural or man-made. The system will also improve
the ability for state law enforcement and emergency personnel
to communicate across greater distances and from locations here-to-fore
too secluded to permit standard radio transmissions. The Highway
Patrol was tasked with the creation of the infrastructure that
will support the VIPER system.
West Jefferson Police Detective and Chief of Todd Volunteer
Fire and Rescue Chris Welch and Robert Poe owner/operator of
Blue Ridge Medical Transport and chairman of the Ashe County
Emergency Services Commission, came to lend their support to
McNeil and the state's request. Adam Lowell of the Ashe County
Amateur Radio Club and James Long, chairman of the board for
the New River Volunteer Fire Department and a county ham radio
operator also added their support. Long was appearing wearing
a couple of hats and stated that the new tower would be a "benefit
to the entire county. Not only will it extend communications
into areas where we can't talk now but it comes with the added
benefit of a generator back-up that will ensure that in times
of power outages, emergency services can still operate."
During the first half of the hearing on March 19, the board
had been informed that Steve Cartwell, owner of C and C Leasing,
is the only for-profit company using the tower. It was believed
that no for-profit entities could be placed on the tower due
to the fact that funding for the tower comes from the federal
government, more specifically from the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). Cartwell was offered the opportunity to appear
but was not present at the Thursday hearing. Restrictions placed
on the construction funds by DHS do suggest avoiding having
for-profit entities on the tower; however, they do not forbid
use of the tower by for-profit entities if the exclusion would
prohibit or hinder tower construction.
The board approved the variance unanimously with one amendment
put forth by Larry Wohlers, that Ashe County emergency services
be given priority placement immediately after the NCSHP on the
tower.
Due to the need to complete the hearing, the board tabled all
other scheduled business until their April 16 regular meeting.
Of note for readers who follow the board, veteran member Marty
Gambill has taken a leave of absence from the board for "medical
reasons" according to Surber. No additional details were
available concerning the leave of absence and no length of time
was provided.
The Ashe County Planning Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first
and third Thursday of each month in the small third-floor courtroom
of the Ashe County Courthouse.
For information on the board or to view county ordinances, click
to www. ashecountygov.com/Planning/index.htm or call (336) 846-5528.
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