I have a statement to read. This is a public hearing and we are the zoning board of adjustments for Putham County, Florida. We operate under the authorities of article 11 and 12 of the land development code as amended. The primary responsibility of the board is to hear and decide appeals challenging
final determinations made by the planning and development services department under the land development code and to hear and act upon requests for variances, special use permits, non-conforming use determinations, and preliminary development plans under the land development code. Today we only
have a special use permit. So I'm going to um not read the section on a variance. A special use permit is special permission to use the property in a fashion in which the zoning classification of the property does not automatically permit. If we grant a
special use permit, we may impose reasonable conditions on the use of the property, which must be satisfied if the special use permit is to remain valid. Unlike a change in the zoning classification as a rule, a special use permit applies only to the specific use
requested in the application for a special use permit. The standards we use in deciding whether or not to grant a special use permit are listed in section 45-1083 of the land development code. Procedurally, we will call these case by name and number. A member of the staff
will then briefly explain to us the nature of each request. We will then take any comments from the applicant or their representative followed by public comments concerning the request. Please direct all comments and statements to the board and not to other people in the audience. Before speaking,
we will ask each person to be recognized, come forward to the lectern and identify his or herself by name and address. All persons wishing to speak have been heard. We will m will entertain a motion from the board. This
motion will be voted on by the board members and become our final order. Or order. Any decision made by the board can be appealed to the circuit court. However, any appeal must be filed within 30 days after the zoning board of adjustment has rendered the final order which is being appealed. Are there any
questions? Before the first case is heard, all those speaking will need to be sworn in. So, will the notary please administer the oath? Okay, before we hear from the staff, we need to do a exparte communication or
conflict of interest roll call. Weaver. >> No. >> Willie McGee? >> No. >> Linda Osborne? >> No. >> Ron West? >> No. >> Okay. Our first case today is special use permit 26-0000007.
>> Good afternoon board. Happy World Cup summer to those who celebrate. Uh, for the record, this is Ethan Thompson presenting sup26-0000007, which is a special use permit for a communication tower in the agriculture zoning district. Applicants are a health agency of the
forest incorporated. The agent is Mary Palmer. Uh, Aaron Garnett is here in the audience on behalf of uh, Mary and their law firm, Baker Donaldelson. Parcel ID number is 30-12-26-000000-00-0010. Um, our 911 address is 2932 South State
Road 19, Pela, Florida 32177. Uh, the parcel has split zoning. Most of it is zoned agriculture and the front portion, the eastern portion is zoned commercial 2. Uh, with a future land use of agriculture.
The subject parcel totals 3.36 acres in the A and C2 zoning district. Uh the tower site is proposed to be an area of undeveloped partially wooded land on a 10,000 square foot lease space uh which is going to be 100 by 100. The request is for a special use permit
to develop a cell tower that will be 190 ft tall with a 5ft lightning rod totaling 200 feet. Uh, land development code section 45-72E10 requires a special use permit to locate a cell tower in the A zoning district.
Here is an aerial of the property. Here is that split zoning. The future land use map. Uh, it's located in flood zone X. Uh, no apparent wetlands on the parcel.
Here is a boundary and topographic survey of the property. Um, this is the only uh document we have that's not been updated to that 200 foot. It'll still say proposed 300, but that will be fixed in the future for uh any potential future submittals.
Um, and the rest of the site plans that we have are updated. So, this is the overall site plan for the 200 foot with the uh 120 foot fall radius. This will be the enlarged compound layout
as well as the uh tower elevation map or uh page certified follow letter. Um these are the handoff sites. the closest at time of submitt the closest active cell tower location was 6.3 miles
away. Um there's one that's not yet on air or wasn't when they submitted um and belongs to a different market. Uh but that one would be three miles away if it were active and they could locate on it. I'll briefly go over the general special
use permit uh requirements here. So staff finds that the criteria has been met as the use is consistent with the agriculture future land use for type 1 community facilities. Um we find that the criteria has also been met for section 4572 E10 which specifically requires a
special use permit for a cell tower in a zoning and we do not anticipate staff does not anticipate that this development will adversely impact the area. Uh the tower is proposed to be approximately 500 ft west of the property line which is adjacent to state road 19. Um and the closest guy anchor
is about 323 feet away from that same boundary line. Uh all areas will be fenced to prevent unauthorized access. Um and aside from the state road, the surrounding use is primarily a national forest. Um the proposed tower is not anticipated
to substantially diminish property values. Uh however, only a certified property appraiser could make a professional opinion regarding property values. Uh the site will access State Road 19 via a 30-foot access easement. Um the proposed tower will only be uh
will only have some periodic trips by technicians for maintenance. So we staff does not anticipate any measurable traffic impacts. Um again ingress egress is provided by an easement to state road 19. Um the development has been reviewed by development review committee uh as of
yesterday and the committee determined that their submitted plans could move forward contingent upon approval of this special use permit application um and some comments that will be you know resolved by the applicant. Uh the applicant has requested a waiver
from the landscaping requirements. Um it that has been granted on all sides except for the eastern side which is the the direction of the church and the state road. Um that will still be required to be landscaped and buffered uh as per the land development codes regulations.
And then no lighting except is required by the FAA has been proposed. Um due to due to the tower's location within the military restricted operation zone, uh the United States Navy is requiring that the tower have lighting which is compatible with night vision goggles.
There are no hazardous substances proposed for the development. Uh and staff does not anticipate that the communication tower will pose an adverse effect or will have an adverse effect on the health and welfare of the residents of Putnham County as there is no significant or there is no residential development nearby.
Uh moving on to more particular findings by ZBA for cell towers. Um collocation on an existing tower is not viable. Um it is proposed to fill a gap in the T-Mobile coverage area as shown in the uh the handoff map. There's uh no active
tower within six miles. Um the proposed tower is supported by three guywires closest of which is set back approximately 323 feet from state road 19. Um again going back to landscaping they've requested a waiver which was
granted on all sides except for the side which faces the church on the east. uh which will still have to comply with landscaping regulations in the land development code. Um there are no significant structures on the property that are depicted as being within this tower certified fall radius. Um there
does appear to be what what looks like an RC track that will be partially within. Um and based on staff's visit to the site, there also appears to be a raised platform with a roof uh that'll be within it, but otherwise no
structures are within that fall zone. The surrounding uses consist primarily of national forest land. Um the property to the south has a restaurant and lounge, but it does not appear that that restaurant has been operational for some time. The subject parcel is relatively flat with partial foliage coverage.
Uh and the applicant site plans as well as the uh county's GIS maps do not depict any protected or environmentally sensitive lands on the subject property. Um, with exception to the southern 1acre parcel, uh, with the restaurant lounge
that is not in operation, the subject parcel is surrounded by the Okala National Forest. Uh, the the proposed tower is not anticipated to have any significant detrimental impact on property values. Once again, only a certified property appraiser could provide an expert opinion on that. Um and staff believes
that the applicable design standards for the proposed 200 foot communication tower have been met by the applicant um and and have been verified by the development review committee and will be further verified upon building permit review. Uh staff's conclusion,
the applicant has requested a special use permit to allow a 200 195 foot with 5 foot lightning rod communications tower in the A zoning district. staff finds that the application meets the requirements of the special use permit pursuant to section 45- uh 1083 and the
supplemental use regulations pursuant to section 45-172 and recommends approval of the request to allow for the development of a 195 ft with a 5ft lightning rod communication tower on the subject partial uh subject to the following conditions. Um applicant must
obtain DRC review approval. It will not exceed 200 total feet in height. must have lighting that is compatible with night vision goggles. Uh obtain and maintain any applicable county, state, federal licenses and registrations. uh communication tower and all a pertinances to said tower must remain
completely within the area of the parcel zoned a um prior to the issue of issuance of building permit submit a shity bond to the county administrator payable to the board of county commissioners equal to 150% of the estimated cost of dismantling the tower uh prior to the
issuance of a building permit provide an easement granted by the fee owner of the remaining land underlying the tower in favor of Putnham County to access the communication tower site for removal uh prior to the issuance of building permit, provide written permission from all record owners uh in a form
acceptable to the county for county staff agent contractors to enter the subject site um for demolition if it's found to be in violation. Uh Putnham County shall have the opportunity to colllocate on this tower for any position other than the highest
position every 10 years from completion of construction. The owner of the tower must submit a structural engineering report and placement of the communication tower must adhere to the locational requirements of section 45-172. Are there any questions for staff?
>> No questions on this, but what was the gentleman's last name that's representing today? >> Garnett. >> Garnett. >> Garnett with a G. >> Garnett. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions for staff? Okay. Before we hear Uh, the applicant,
we need to do a site visit. Roll call, please. >> Yes, Linda Osborne. >> Let's just say I attempted and once I got to the mayor and county line with no GPS and no cell service, I decided I had gone too far and I turned around. So, I guess I'll have to say no. I did not
physically see that piece of property. Okay. >> Willie McGee. >> Yes. >> Troy Weaver. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, Mr. Barnett, are you ready to come before the board? >> For the
record, please state your name and address. >> My name is Aaron Garnett. My address is 923 GU Street, Orlando, Florida, 32804. And I'm an attorney with Baker Donaldson. And >> thank you. >> Um, uh, we're here today asking for the
special use permit. We We believe that it meets the requirements as the staff report has found. We want to just commend and also say thanks to the staff for working with us on our application and through the process. Um, but we believe the report's very thorough and
finds that we meet the requirements in order to be issued a special use permit to build the facility. Just providing the board a little context too. We originally started out at 300 ft. Um, the Navy Navy um objected to it for various reasons. We worked with the Navy
and we reduced the tower height and that's how we arrived at the height where we're at now which is 195 ft with the 5 foot lightning rod. Um the one thing just to be safe I I don't know if it was enter into the record because it was after but I I would request just to enter into our communication with the
Navy on that just so that it's part of the record. >> We have some communication but it's is it anything differently than than what we have? I madam chair I cannot recall what this document is and what we provided to the
zoning board. So >> okay you just give it to us then. >> Yeah. Is there a mic? I'm sorry to say you may want to pull it up a little bit higher. Sometimes the acoustics in here is not the greatest. Okay.
>> Yeah, I think I've seen this. Okay. >> I I just wasn't sure if it was part of the record. Wanted for all purposes to be made sure it was part of the record. Um but ultimately we would ask that this the the board grant our special use permit. Um, and I happy to answer any
questions that you may have. >> Anyone have any questions? >> Okay, I guess that's I guess that's it then. Thank you, sir. Well, there's no one in the audience, but I will still go ahead and ask the question. Is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak in favor of this application?
No one's coming forward. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak in opposition? Okay. At this time, since there's no more discussion on this case, we'll close it to the public and open it up for vote um board motion and vote.
>> Question for staff. There were originally eight conditions. Was there one or two more added? A few were added after our communications and the applicants communications with the Navy um to make sure that we so the
night vision lighting consistent with night vision goggles was one of them. Um I believe the height was one of them and then the deputy county administrator wanted uh an opportunity to colllocate. So I believe that was discussed between us and the applicant which would have
been the third edition. >> There was 11 conditions. >> Yes sir. 11 total. >> Right. Okay. 9, 10, 11 were added. >> I said 9, 10, and 11 were added. Okay, didn't catch that. I move we approve special case SUP
26000000007 as the request meets the criteria for special use permit as required by section 451083 of the Putham County Land Development Code with the 11 conditions recommended by staff and authorize the chair to sign
the final order. >> Second. We have a motion and second to approve special use permit 26-0000007. Any further discussion? If not, all of those in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand.
All opposed. Motion carries. 4 Z. So, uh, there is a 30-day appeal process. So, if there's any issues, please work closely with staff and good luck. Maybe the next time I go down there, you'll have cell tower available. Thank you.
Okay, we the next on the agenda >> is old business. Do we have any old business? Um Dan Dodge resigned. So I guess oh that maybe that's could be new business but uh and then also we I didn't know to uh mention but Mark
Fischer left us this last month or last in April. So we're down we have seven members all together, right? Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. That is correct. And um I also just want to give the zoning board an update on the West River Road
communication tower. Uh as you may know that approval was appealed to the uh the circuit court of Putham County and through legal counsel of the county uh we managed to come to a settlement
agreement. Um the appellants have already executed. We have just we're just waiting on Rich to uh execute his end of that agreement. >> Okay. So what is the what type of agreement did they reach in? I mean,
they come to >> uh in summary, the settlement agreement just requires the um the special use permit to be reheard by the zoning board of adjustment with the understanding that the tower must be a minimum 750 ft
away from the nearest residentially zoned property or residential structure and a zoning, whichever is um more restrictive. Well, I read most of the uh appeal material and so I did notice in
there that they said that the special use permit should have noted that it had to be 750 ft away. But, you know, that's one of those things I don't think we knew for sure other than listen having to the hear the variance. So, I guess we assumed which is maybe our mistake. But
anyway, I guess it's all going to be resolved. >> That's the way it looks. >> Okay. Um, I guess the next thing is the approval of the minutes for April 15, 2026. Has everybody had a chance to read them?
>> If so, can I have a motion to approve? >> Move to approve is read. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and second to approve the minutes of April 15, 2026. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Motion carries 40. I guess
if that's nothing else, we will stand a journ. And thanks everybody for coming. Anything else? All right, have a good one.