Heard County re-hears and approves Tillman Infrastructure tower with permit and emergency‑services conditions
July 27, 2026 | Heard County, Georgia
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The Heard County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a special‑use application from Tillman Infrastructure LLC for a new wireless telecommunications tower after a rehearing of the matter on July 27, 2021.
The rehearing followed a formal veto by Chairman Lee Boone that had returned the matter to the Board for reconsideration. In the veto document presented as part of the record, Boone wrote, “I hereby VETO the decision of the Heard County Board of Commissioners pertaining to the Special Use Application filed by Tillman Infrastructure, LLC …” and placed the item back on the next regular meeting agenda for reconsideration. At the July 27 meeting, the applicant was allowed to present first; Mr. Rotenstreich, of Baker Donelson representing AT&T, explained he had been given the wrong date for the prior meeting and urged the Board to allow construction so county residents could benefit from upgraded cell service and other improvements.
Opposition to the tower was raised by Mr. Totten of The Gilroy Firm, representing SBA, who spoke against building the new tower. During discussion, Commissioner James Perry — whose district includes the proposed site — said the county would benefit from 5G and FirstNet service and that the county ordinance did not supply a legal basis to deny the application. Perry asked that approval include two conditions: that required permits be pulled within 18 months and that the county be allowed a position on the tower for County Emergency Services at no charge. On a motion by Commissioner Perry, seconded by Commissioner Larry Hooks, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request with those conditions.
The action closes the rehearing; no further hearings on this specific application were recorded at the July 27 meeting. The veto document noted the original vote had occurred on June 22, 2021, and the chairman exercised his veto within the ten‑day period provided by the county code.
The rehearing followed a formal veto by Chairman Lee Boone that had returned the matter to the Board for reconsideration. In the veto document presented as part of the record, Boone wrote, “I hereby VETO the decision of the Heard County Board of Commissioners pertaining to the Special Use Application filed by Tillman Infrastructure, LLC …” and placed the item back on the next regular meeting agenda for reconsideration. At the July 27 meeting, the applicant was allowed to present first; Mr. Rotenstreich, of Baker Donelson representing AT&T, explained he had been given the wrong date for the prior meeting and urged the Board to allow construction so county residents could benefit from upgraded cell service and other improvements.
Opposition to the tower was raised by Mr. Totten of The Gilroy Firm, representing SBA, who spoke against building the new tower. During discussion, Commissioner James Perry — whose district includes the proposed site — said the county would benefit from 5G and FirstNet service and that the county ordinance did not supply a legal basis to deny the application. Perry asked that approval include two conditions: that required permits be pulled within 18 months and that the county be allowed a position on the tower for County Emergency Services at no charge. On a motion by Commissioner Perry, seconded by Commissioner Larry Hooks, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request with those conditions.
The action closes the rehearing; no further hearings on this specific application were recorded at the July 27 meeting. The veto document noted the original vote had occurred on June 22, 2021, and the chairman exercised his veto within the ten‑day period provided by the county code.
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