Commissioners Approve Cell Tower, Multi-Use Trail Support

By: Shelia Mader

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners held two public hearings during its recent meeting Tuesday, approving a wireless telecommunications facility and formally supporting a regional transportation project involving the proposed Marianna Multi-Use Trail.

The first public hearing involved a request for board approval of the Powers LLC wireless telecommunications facility planned for the west side of Sylvania Plantation Road, approximately a half-mile northwest of the intersection of Fort Road.

County Administrator Jim Dean introduced the request before Chairman Jamey Westbrook opened the public hearing.

Representing the project was James McNichol of Fleming Island, who briefly addressed commissioners and offered to answer any questions regarding the proposal.

Commissioner Edward Crutchfield made the motion to approve the telecommunications facility, with Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires providing the second. The motion passed unanimously in a 5-0 vote.

Commissioners then moved into a second public hearing regarding a request for formal board support of the Appalachian Regional Planning Council’s Regional Rural Transportation Plan.

Dean explained the transportation plan was developed by the Appalachian Regional Planning Council and that the board’s approval was being requested as part of the public hearing process.

Commissioner Paul Donofro, who serves on the committee involved with the plan, spoke in support of adding the Marianna Multi-Use Trail as one of the region’s proposed transportation projects.

“We’ve adopted a regional rural transportation plan,” Donofro said. “There are a number of projects on that plan, and we’re allowed to add two projects. One of the projects we’re proposing to add is the Marianna Multi-Use Trail, and I think it meets a lot of the requirements of the regional rural transportation plan.”

Chairman Westbrook then opened the floor for public comment, though no members of the public came forward to speak on the matter.

Before the vote, Commissioner Donnie Branch asked whether a second proposed project had been identified for submission. Officials confirmed there was not currently a second project listed.

Crutchfield then made a motion to approve the submission, which received a second from another commissioner. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Both measures were approved without opposition from the board.