A number of residents in the Blackberry/Bailey’s Camp area of Blowing Rock fear that another fight over a tower might be in their future.
Several residents in the area complained that a tower planned for their neighborhood would negatively impact their property values and lifestyle, and were successful in convincing the Caldwell Commissioners to restrict the cell tower to a level not requiring strobe lights.
The difference this time is that recently adopted regulations in Caldwell County, while regulating private towers, is considering one of their own that would violate its own restrictions, towering far higher than current regulations permit.
Their reasoning, say local residents, is that because it is a tower for the Sheriff’s department and their emergency service agencies, it is exempt from current regulations.
Actually there is not much known about the plans, as Caldwell officials have not contacted nearby property owners to inform them of their plans.
“That is an old story,” said one homeowner who called the Rocket on Monday morning. “Like last time it was done in the middle of winter when most of those who would be impacted are not here. We don’t believe that is by coincidence.
“We just happened to see some men a site near the current tower and when asked about what they were doing, they said they were looking into the possible location for another tower - one almost three-quarters longer that they one that does conform.”
That tower, concerned citizens say, will require a strobe light and other elements to warn aircraft, and would be in violation of the Parkway’s scenic easement standards.
While Caldwell County offices were closed because of the Monday holiday, it is thought that the tower will be addressed at the Monday, January 28th meeting of the Caldwell Commissioners at 6 p.m.