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Dillsboro enacts moratorium on cell tower construction

By Rose Hooper

Neighbors on either side have dealt with it and even legislated it, while Jackson County continues to study it.

But last week the town of Dillsboro decided to take action on its own by enacting a six-month moratorium on cell tower construction.

Both Macon and Haywood counties have cell tower ordinances in place controlling placement, height and appearance. Under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, local governments cannot place a blanket ban on these towers, but they can regulate them.

Jackson County's planning board currently has a cell tower subcommittee, which has forwarded recommendations to the county commissioners. The recommendation is to consider a presentation by Metrosite Consultants of Arkansas, which is in the business of telling governments where they can profit from cell towers constructed on their own land.

"You can put one of those cell towers up overnight," Dillsboro Town Clerk Herb Nolan told the board. "Before we have them springing up on our mountainsides, we need to have some method of enforcement."

Dillsboro Town Board member Reg Moody explained the process of co-location, which allows cell tower companies to share existing or under construction sites, such as football stadium goal posts and water towers.

"For some governmental units (cell tower construction) can be a good source of revenue," Moody said.

The latest debate in the wireless communication industry appears to be over analog vs digital. Analog uses a single-powered transmitter covering an entire community. Digitial emits a clearer signal, some say, but at a lower frequency so the sites have to be closer together.

In addition to county regulations, towers also must comply with the national Environmental Policy Act concerning wilderness areas, wildlife preserves, endangered species, historical sites and Indian religious sites. Futhermore, the FCC regulates radiofrequency emissions and towers over 200 feet, ensuring they are properly marked and lighted.

The cost of erecting wireless telecommunication towers is about $1,000 a foot.

Following Dillsboro's six-month moratorium, any action will be reffered to its planning board.

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