Commissioners reject proposed cell tower in 3-2 vote

A proposed 185-foot telecommunications tower near Panaca failed to gain approval during the Lincoln County Commission meeting on Monday, July 20.

The proposal called for construction of an approximately 185-foot telecommunications tower along the U.S. 93 corridor near Panaca to improve cellular coverage.

The project first came before the Lincoln County Planning Commission earlier this year, when residents living nearest the proposed tower site voiced concerns about its location. Following presentations from Lincoln County Telephone System representatives and public comment, the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the special use permit.

Following an appeals process, the recommendation was then forwarded to the Lincoln County Commissioners. During initial commissioner discussion, new information was presented and commissioners voted to send the application back to the Planning Commission for additional review.

Earlier this month, the Planning Commission again heard presentations from Lincoln County Telephone System representatives and public comment before unanimously voting 4-0 to once again recommend approval of the permit.

Following discussion during Monday’s meeting, the county commission voted 3-2 against issuing the Special Use Permit. Commissioner Mike Reese made the motion to approve the permit, Commissioner Lisa Poulson seconded the motion and Commissioners Janine Woodworth, Diane Path and Keith Pearson voted against the proposal.

During discussion, commissioners opposing the project said their concerns centered primarily on the proposed location rather than the need for improved cellular service.

Commissioner Path said one of her concerns involved the possibility of an aviation warning light being required on the tower. Commissioners Woodworth and Pearson also cited concerns with the proposed location.

During public comment, local resident Shane Mathews said he supports the need for improved cellular service but believes the tower should be located elsewhere. Mathews continued to offer land near the Lincoln County Power District property, roughly half a mile from the proposed site, as an alternative location. Utilizing the alternative location would require additional site inspections and the filing of a new special use permit.

Commissioner Reese said his support for the project was based on public safety and the need to improve reliable communication throughout the county.

“When I came back to the county, I thought it was horrendous that we didn’t have cell coverage,” Reese said.

He noted ambulance crews traveling between Pioche and Grover C. Dils Medical Center experienced dropped calls twice during emergency transports and said the proposed tower would have improved service along U.S. 93, including the Panaca Summit area.

Commissioner Reese also expressed concern that denying the permit could jeopardize Verizon’s plans to expand service in Lincoln County.

“My fear is if we don’t do this location, Verizon may back out,” Reese said. “If they back out, who would come in and put a cell tower in? The town loses out. My hope is we did not lose Verizon as a potential vendor.”

Representatives for Lincoln County Telephone System have said the project was intended to address longstanding gaps in cellular coverage along the U.S. 93 corridor and would support multiple providers, including Verizon and Lincoln County Telephone System.

With the commission’s decision, the special use permit for the proposed location was denied. Although several commissioners expressed support for improving cellular coverage in the area, discussion indicated there is continued interest in exploring an alternate location for the tower.