County To Consider Ordinance Change For Small Cell Technology

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will consider a revision to its Utility Accommodation Ordinance to address small cell technology and other new technologies being utilized in the telecommunications industry.

The proposed revision follows a moratorium passed by the Board at a called meeting on Aug. 16 barring the issuance of permits and the acceptance of applications for permits for the installation of wireless communication devices and facilities in the county's rights of way.

The Commission approved the moratorium after Crown Castle of Roswell asked the county to renew an expired permit issued in July of 2016 for underground and aerial fiber optic lines and small cell sites in the county right of way along Epps Bridge Parkway and the Oconee Connector.

The proposed revision to the Utility Accommodation Ordinance sets standards for maximum size of small cell wireless facilities and their appearance, requires that existing structures be used if possible, and establishes an annual permit fee of $250 for each facility.

For more on this story, with a video of the called meeting of the Board of Commissioners, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: County Attorney Daniel Haygood And County Administrator Justin Kirouac.