Commissioners hear concerns about tower regulation
The manager of the Connellsville Airport approached the Fayette County commissioners Tuesday, concerned that communication tower provisions in the pending zoning ordinance are not restrictive enough to protect the airport. Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites said he was under the impression that whatever was previously adopted regarding communication tower restrictions would be part of the new ordinance, but Connellsville Airport Manager Sam Cortis said that is not the case. “It’s definitely different,” Cortis said.
Last month, the commissioners voted to approve the countywide zoning ordinance effective Nov. 1, changing the ordinance first adopted in 1968. The current ordinance does include provisions for communication towers that was adopted and inserted in the past several years. However, the new ordinance includes different language regarding cell phone towers.
Speaking during the agenda meeting, Cortis said members of the Fayette County Airport Authority believe the new ordinance is “not as protective as the last ordinance.” Cortis said the authority members want to incorporate the “old language” in the ordinance. He also suggested that a model ordinance provided by the Federal Aviation Administration could be used.
Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said she was seeking an answer from Tammy Stenson, director of the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, regarding why the wording was changed prior to Thursday’s meeting. Zimmerlink acknowledged receipt of a letter from Fayette County Airport Authority Chairman Fred Davis about the issue.
Cortis said from what he read in the new ordinance, language was taken from an FAA form. “I feel it needs to be a little more stringent. He said the current ordinance is more specific, listing that towers must be at least a mile from the end of the runway.
Stenson, who arrived after the discussion, explained the new ordinance has an airport hazard overlay, which includes a “circle” to show the radius around the airport that cannot be infringed upon. She said the provision is worded differently than the current ordinance and she would examine the differences.
“I think if there are concerns about what is in the new ordinance, we should consider bringing back the old ordinance,” Vicites said.
The commissioners placed a motion on Thursday’s agenda to take the required steps to amend the ordinance sections pertaining to communication towers to revert back to the previous provision.
Stenson said to change the provisions in the ordinance, the Fayette County Planning Commission must first approve it, and then the commissioners must hold a rezoning hearing and then approve the change. She said it could be enacted by Jan. 1.
In other items, the commissioners voted to place an item on Thursday’s agenda to approve the Growing Greener Discretionary II Monies for Fayette County. In March the commissioners approved a list of 15 projects throughout the county that totaled $1.39 million in funding.
The projects the commissioners wish to fund include storm water improvements, mine drainage remediation, drinking water upgrades, park facility upgrades, bike/hike trail design and construction and farmland preservation. The projects are located throughout Fayette County.
The largest individual chunk of money – $365,000 – is earmarked for agricultural farmland preservation. The list states the money will be used to purchase development rights into the state easement program for any of the county’s 42 municipalities. The remaining projects list specific municipalities. Eight conservation projects total $450,000, five recreation projects total $575,000 and $365,000 is designated for agriculture farmland preservation.
Stenson, who did not have a list available at the meeting, said there was only a slight change since the commissioners approved the list in March.