Townsend residents oppose cell tower construction

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Updated: 7:03 PM Nov 16, 2009 Townsend residents oppose cell tower construction Take a look around the Townsend landscape and what do you see? Primarily the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. But residents say that will change if a new cell phone tower is erected. Posted: 6:38 PM Nov 16, 2009 Reporter: Stephen McLamb Email Address: Stephen.McLamb@wvlt-tv.com

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TOWNSEND, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Take a look around the Townsend landscape and what do you see?

Primarily the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

But residents say that will change if a new cell phone tower is erected.

Supports say the tower increases cell and hi-speed Internet coverage.

But residents are saying: Not in my backyard.

"Now we get here and I find out I've won the cell tower lottery and they're going to put it in my backyard," says Townsend resident Tom Murphy.

A proposed cell phone tower is not what Tom Murphy wants on the ridge where he lives.

Wireless Properties plans to build the tower on a ridge standing some 180 feet in the air just outside the city limits of Townsend.

"The city of Townsend actually has very strict zoning codes. The unfortunate thing with the tower is it's in Blount County," says Jennifer Moore, a Townsend resident who opposes the tower's construction.

Larry Wells with Wireless Properties says the tower will give a six mile signal that will greatly improve high speed Internet and coverage to the area as well as eliminate the need for multiple towers because multiple carriers will be on the tower.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Moore says she's leading the charge in opposing the tower with a petition drive.

"We've been soliciting the petitions for about a week now and we have over two hundred signatures so we've got about two and a half weeks to go," says Moore.

Wells says the tower will be painted brown to blend in but tourism officials are still concerned it will stand out when you view the mountains.

"Seeing those things without obstructions that's important to us so we're pretty sensitive to those kinds of things when they're presented," says Herb Handly with the Smoky Mountain Visitors Bureau.

It's especially frustrating for Murphy who recently built his dream home.

"Moved here from New Jersey trying to get away from cell towers and development and everything else," says Murphy.

The issue will be taken up by the Blount County Zoning Board of Appeals when they meet on December 3rd.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Linda Location: Townsend on Dec 10, 2009 at 09:47 AM

I agree with Faye, I am so tired of outsiders coming in and telling natives, who are truly natives not transplants who think they are, how to live. Within reason you should be able to do with your property what you want. A camouflaged, unlit tower won't even be noticed. Especially with all the raped mountainside with visible gaudy houses showing.

Posted by: Faye Location: Townsend on Dec 3, 2009 at 11:06 PM

Please don't say that THE MAJORITY of residents have an issue with the cell tower going on the Tipton's property. If you'll check, the majority of those who are squawking are people who have moved in from other places. They made their money elsewhere and now come here to tell those who grew up here how to manage their property.

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