By Amanda Mears

November 9, 2007 | MILLVILLE -- A public hearing has been set by the Planning and Zoning Commission for residents to voice their opinions on new guidelines and restrictions for future communication towers.

The public hearing is set for Dec. 13 at 8:10 p.m. at the city office building, 490 E. 300 South.

Currently, the commission is working with the City Council to draw up restrictions for cell phone companies that have expressed interest in building a tower in Millville. The towers are expected to be a big source of revenue for whoever leases out the property to the cellular companies.

One topic of debate among P&Z commissioners was the ordinance prohibiting communication towers from blocking primary views of the surrounding residents. Planning commissioners disagreed about what makes a primary view and who decides if the view is being blocked.

"I think we need to be more specific," Commissioner Lynette Dickey said.

Jim Hart, chairman of the planning commission, said communication towers can be easily disguised and are going to become a natural part of a city, much like telephone poles, and residents should not be too concerned.

Commissioner Kimberly Phipps agreed and said that after awhile, "you get to where you don't even notice them".

However, Hart also said that he would like surrounding property owners to be aware of the tower that will be going up.

"Just like when you rent out a basement apartment," Hart said, "you have to notify everyone around."

The commission eventually agreed to add a section to the ordinance that requires everyone within 600 ft. of the applicant property to be notified three days before a required public hearing.

The ordinances so far also include guidelines that require photo simulations from all vantage points so that residents get a feel for how it will look, and a ban on overly bright lights on the towers.

In other business, the commission approved changing the name of the Board of Adjustments to Appeal Authority, and will hold a public hearing for input on Dec. 14 at 8:30 p.m. at the city office building.

The commission also discussed changing city code regarding building height. The code currently states that residential buildings must be no more than two stories or 32 feet maximum. Commissioner Catyse Easton proposed eliminating the word "story" and instead sticking to the 32-foot maximum height for residential buildings.

"There is the question is a basement a story?" Easton asked. "If it is we have some problems. The simplest thing would be just to eliminate the word 'story'." The commission agreed to vote on the change at the next meeting, which will take place on Dec. 13.

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