Albemarle commission recommends some cell tower changes, but not all

Albemarle County:

“Albemarle officials consider changes to the approval process for communications towers in the county, some residents are asking that key protections be maintained.

‘Right now, you’re being asked to rule on a decision that will make it easier to place cell towers in established neighborhoods and if you agree to these changes it will have a significant impact on Key West in particular,’ said Bob Toplin, who lives in the Key West neighborhood.

Toplin’s comments came during a recent public hearing before the Planning Commission. Staff wanted input on six distinct changes to the ordinance that governs how and where cell towers can be built. In recent years, industry officials have been asking the county to streamline the approval process so more towers can be erected to satisfy growing demand for mobile data services.”

~Writes Sean Tubbs of Charlottesville Tomorrow

Click here for the full article

Digital Dead Zones in Albemarle Closer to Getting Service

Albemarle County:

“People living in digital dead zones in rural Albemarle County are closer to getting service. The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will get a presentation Wednesday from the Broadband Task Force. The task force is expected to identify when and how dead zones in the Scottsville, Samuel Miller, and Whitehall districts will be fixed.

‘I understand that we were just recognized, the city of Charlottesville, as being one of the top ten wired communities in the entire country,’ Albemarle County Supervisor Jane Dittmar said. ‘So to drive 15 minutes outside and have people who can't have internet, can't use their cells, or can't get emergency vehicles in there because they don't have that, [it] doesn't make any sense.’

Dittmar says she hopes private broadband service providers and the county can work together. She would like to see effective service everywhere in the county by the end of this year.”

~ Reports nbc29

 Click here for the video