P&Z holding hearings on towers plans

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission is conducting public hearings on proposals to erect a wireless communications tower in Blanchard and an emergency communications tower near Clark Fork.

Hearings on the two proposals are set for Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Bonner County Administration Building. The hearings are slated to start at 5 p.m.

Runberg Revocable Trust and Verizon Wireless are seeking a conditional use permit to install a 195-foot-tall tower and an 8-by-18-foot support structure on 77 acres southwest of Highway 41 and north of Blanchard Elk Road. The tower would be freestanding and the support structure would be pre-fabricated.

The hearing coincidentally follows a deadly traffic accident in which a motorist attempted to advise authorities of a reckless driver on Highway 41, but could not get cell phone reception. The driver ended up striking a cyclist and killing her.

The White Trust and Bonner County Emergency Management are seeking a permit to put up a 35-foot communications tower and an unattended electrical support structure off Johnson Creek Road, about two miles south of Clark Fork.

The applicants are seeking variance approval for a 5-foot setback from the nearest property line, rather than the minimum setback equal to the height of the tower.

They also request to vary from fencing requirements for the tower site.