By Billy Davis

Panola County’s land commission approved a cellular phone tower for 20 years Monday night after negotiating with C Spire representatives over the county permit.

The tower is located south of Batesville along Highway 51, just outside the city limits.
Company representatives said they wanted a permit for 25 years, citing the expense of erecting the 250-foot tower.

“I don’t think C Spire will go less than 25 years,” said Laurel Mitchell, one of three representatives present for the public hearing.

At first the land commission unanimously approved a 15-year permit following a motion from Danny Holland and a second from Bob Haltom.

More discussion ensued after the vote, however, and an attorney for C Spire announced the company is signing 40 years of lease extensions with the property owner.

The attorney, Charlie Penick, claimed the company’s permit application also requested 40 years, which turned out to be untrue, and chairman Danny Walker chided him for the perceived misstatement.

Commission consultant Bob Barber said he could not recall any permits granted in recent years beyond 20 years.  

After further discussion the land commission agreed to grant a 20-year permit as a compromise with the company.

In the same vote the land commission approved a self-supporting cell tower, a freestanding tower erected without guy wires.

Commissioners discussed requiring a so-called monopole, which is considered more attractive, to which Penick said a federal telecommunications law forbids “aesthetics” as a reason to deny the application.

The cost of a monopole is “significant,” Pennick said.

“As a multiple, how much more?” Walked asked.

“Fifty to seventy-percent more,” the attorney replied.

After more discussion, Holland then suggested allowing the self-supporting tower in his board motion.