Verizon cell tower project in west Tupelo shot down by Tupelo officials
TUPELO — Tupelo officials have shot down a proposal from a national telecom giant to build a cell tower in northwest Tupelo, granting the residents of the area an appeal after weeks of deliberation.
The Tupelo City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously among present members to grant an appeal of the Tupelo Planning Committee’s decision that would have allowed Verizon Communications Inc. to build a 170-foot monopole cell tower near the Belden Pike neighborhood.
“Each of the members of the council has had the opportunity to look at the facts and make up their mind,” Ward 3 Councilman and Board President Travis Beard said.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Janet Gaston was absent, and Ward 5 Councilman Buddy Palmer recused himself, as he is part of the Tombigbee Electric Power Association Board.
Before the vote, Jackson-based attorney for Baker Donelson, Grant Tarleton, who represented Verizon, spoke, urging the council to approve the project. He detailed the reasons he and the company believed the city had no choice but to affirm the planning committee’s decision.
“Procedurally, I don’t think there have been any objections, and it’s been understood the application is flawless,” he said. “It complies with the requires in the code and it is necessary to provide wireless coverage.”
The appeal, which came from residents of the Belden Pike neighborhood, sought to overturn the planning committee’s decision to grant a flexible use permit to Verizon for the cellphone tower. Residents laid out their concerns during a public hearing in late May, which included fears of radiation, safety and discrepancies with the designs.
For a development to be granted flexible use, it must check three boxes: It must be in harmony with the area and not substantially injurious to the value of properties in the general vicinity, it must conform with all special requirements applicable to the use, and it can’t adversely affect the health and safety of the public. The staff analysis provided during the committee’s meeting in May recommended the project’s approval.
The council previously tabled the matter to allow time to gather more information. At the time, the Tombigbee Electric Power Association publicly supported granting the appeal because the company felt the tower was too close a vital circuit line. The line is 78 feet away from the tower. Federal regulations deem the minimum safe distance to be 75 feet.
“The letter from Tombigbee was pretty straightforward. They are uncomfortable with (the tower),” Development Services Director Tanner Newman said Monday during the precouncil meeting.
Tarleton argued that the line is 80 feet above the height of the tower, so in the event of a fall, it has little chance of damaging the circuit. He also pointed out the tower was designed to fall in on itself. He also noted that the monopole in Amory survived the EF-3 tornado that ripped through the community in March 2023.
City Attorney Ben Logan said for the council to reject the project, there needed to be a specific reason, including but not limited to safety or being in harmony with the surrounding development. The vote Tuesday night, he noted, was a temporary order and a final order will come to the council during the next meeting. At which time, the clock to appeal begins the council decision to Lee County Circuit Court.
When asked if Verizon will appeal to the court, Tarleton said there will be an appeal and filings will be made available to the public. The telecom giant has 10 days following the final order to appeal.
