In a 4–3 vote, the Madison County Planning Commission on Tuesday evening rejected Cellular One’s plans to build a cell phone tower on Joe’s Lick Knob east of Berea.
The 190-foot guyed tower would sit on a shelf to the knob’s northeast side, about 300 feet above the surrounding area.
The tower could be used by three other providers and would provide cell phone service to the Red Lick and Big Hill areas along US 421, where it is now unavailable, said Cellular One engineer David Yancey.
The Federal Aviation Administration would not require aircraft warning lights on the tower, he said.
Commissioner Paula Maionchi, who also serves on the county’s 911 emergency communications board, said fire and police units dispatched to the area sometimes return to the junction of KY 1016 and US 421 junction if they must communicate with dispatchers.
She asked if Cellular One would make the tower available for 911 communications, and Yancey said that had been the company’s past practice.
Several neighboring residents and property owners spoke against permitting the tower, saying it would reduce property values by detracting from the area’s scenic view and historic significance.
“I would rather preserve the serenity of the area than have cell phone service,” said Dr. Teresa Scherf, a Cellular One customer who said she has operated a retreat ministry at the east foot of the knob for the past 15 years.
William Coble, a retired airline pilot, said he and his wife purchased the south face of the knob up to its peak and moved to its foots about 10 years ago because of its natural beauty.
The knob was used as a landmark on the Wilderness Road, according to James S. Chenault, who said he purchased the knob’s western face up to its peak about 50 years ago to preserve it.
The knob also lies in the viewshed of Battlefield Park, said Robert Moody, who has been active in the Battle of Richmond Association.
The county’s comprehensive plan, however, does not list the knob as a protected cultural or historic site, said Duane Curry, the county’s codes and planning administrator.
Commission Chair Robert Farmer said the profile of a guyed tower without lighting would cause minimal visual disruption.
“I can understand why people would be opposed to this tower, but we certainly need cell phone service in that part of the county,” said Commissioner Wanda Pennington.
Commissioner David Bohannon moved to reject the plan, “because it would adversely affect a historic site, impair the scenic view and because the applicant had failed to show that not an alternative site was unavailable.”
Bohannon and Maionchi were joined in the vote by commissioners Chandler Combs and William Witt.
Farmer, Pennington and Gary Hart voted against the motion.
In other action, the commission voted to recommend rezoning — from agricultural to interstate corridor commercial — two acres at the intersection of Boonesborough Road and Shearer Drive owned by Jackson Environmental Consulting.
The plat had been revised since the commission’s April meeting, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet had approved the proposed entrance from Shearer Drive, Curry said.
A minor plat for Mikel Perkins on Barker Lane near Berea also was approved.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.
Local News
Planners reject cell tower
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
US 25 business owners scared of five-lane plan
Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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