Two new cell phone towers were approved by the Patrick County Planning Commission at their public hearing on May 25, 2011. AT&T is planning 5 new cell phone sites on the Route 58 Corridor.

News report Patrick County Planning Commission May 25, 2011 The Patrick County Planning Commission met on May 25, 2011 to hold a public hearing on construction of two new cell phone towers on the route 58 Corridor. On hand from AT & T was Shelby Lusk, Site Acquisition, Attorney Jonathan Yates, of Helman and Yates (Charleston, SC) and Beacon Communications representative Martin Deputy. The first tower site will be at 255 Vernon Lane, near South Mayo in Patrick Springs on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Vernon. This will be a lattice tower 250 foot high. The tower was approved without any public comment. The second tower site will be at 430 South Fork Loop, near South Fork Lane on the property of Williams & Birkett LLC. This will be a lattice tower 250 foot high. The tower was approved without any public comment. A third proposed site in the Stella Community, near the Mt. Nebo church (Critz) was withdrawn by Beacon Communications and AT & T. People representing the church came to the Planning Commission meeting discouraging the construction due to it being within 700 foot of the new church building. The companies involved withdrew the request prior to the 6:30p m public hearing. Beacon will seek out another site and come back later with another proposed site. Beacon and AT&T are planning 5 new sites, including the 2 approved at the public hearing, plus co-locating 2 more on existing cell phone towers, plus the additional one in the Stella Community, site to be determined. AT & T’s intent is provide seamless cell phone coverage from Stuart to Martinsville. Reported by Tom Bishop