MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Federal lawmakers Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Congressman John "Jimmy" Duncan Jr. (R-2nd) are encouraging the Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals to consider approving so-called "stealth" cell phone towers instead of traditional towers that some say would damage the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. One of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in Townsend in Blount County, where cell phone towers may soon be placed.

The BZA meeting is set for Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Blount County Courthouse in Maryville.

Sen. Alexander and Rep. Duncan sent the following letter to the Blount County BZA chairman Wednesday:

December 2, 2009

Rob Walker
Chairman
Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals
237 Meadow Road
Friendsville, TN 37737

Dear Rob,

A number of Tennesseans have raised concerns with us about the proposed 180 foot cell tower on a 1700 foot knob just outside of the City of Townsend which is a subject of your hearing on December 3.

We are writing because we believe there are several good ways to expand cell service without damaging the historic and scenic character of the Townsend area and this popular entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

For example, Germantown outside Memphis has approved a 100 foot tall six carrier tower camouflaged as a pine tree. Another city uses three flags poles which are 85 feet tall. A growing number of cities are approving such “stealth towers” which are barely noticeable.

Other cities require several carriers to locate together on an existing tower or structure to avoid building several towers. Many cities require that towers be much smaller than the 180 foot tower proposed for Townsend.

We have enclosed photographs of these “stealth towers” and articles describing how other cities are using them. One of the articles describes how AT&T is putting up 70 foot tall cell phone antenna that will be disguised as a giant flagpole.

The City of Townsend has worked hard to preserve its historic and scenic character. Its own zoning ordinances would require cell towers to “blend into the immediate environment” and be “as inconspicuous as possible.” The county’s own regulations require towers to “blend in.” For 25 years the state and county have worked together to prevent eyesores along Highway 321 and create one of the most attractive entrances to any national park.

The issue of cell towers will be coming up more often as cell service expands into rural areas. We doubt that most East Tennesseans are looking forward to seeing a huge cell tower between themselves and their views of the Smokies. Over 1.4 million visitors a year who enter the Great Smokies through Townsend, and who create good jobs, come to see the mountains, not cell towers.

While this is a local and not a federal decision, it would be our hope that county officials would take into account the various ways that exist to improve cell phone service without damaging the historic and scenic character of one of the most beautiful parts of our country.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Lamar Alexander
United States Senator

and

John Duncan, Jr.
Member of Congress