Residents ask council for telecom overlay to limit cell towers near homes

Frank Tamborello, an HOA board member in the South Creek subdivision in Greer, urged Greenville County Council to work with residents and planners to create a telecommunications overlay that would regulate cell tower siting, setbacks and community notification.

"Currently, some self serving individuals like Tony Langford can come along and obtain approval for cell tower construction and modification without any consideration for surrounding communities," Tamborello said. He said a 200-foot tower was approved "mere feet from your property line" in a nearby subdivision and that homes that previously sold quickly now sit on the market for months.

Tamborello said the overlay he and neighbors are drafting with planner Kelly Long and an attorney would add considerations such as prior communications and opportunity for public discussion, setback requirements from homes, design alternatives and review of impacts on property values. He told the council the process would not cost county government money.

Council members acknowledged the complaint and thanked Tamborello; no formal motion or ordinance was introduced during the meeting. Tamborello asked the council to work with residents on a proposed overlay and to consider rules used by other jurisdictions; he also said state-level action, if pursued, could take years and that counties are currently addressing the issue locally.

The discussion was recorded as public comment; any change to county zoning or creation of a telecommunications overlay would require a staff report, a formal ordinance or zoning amendment and recorded votes at future hearings.