LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Appeals has approved a petition for the construction of a 199-foot monopole cell tower in La Plata, paving the way for improved Verizon Wireless service in the area.
Docket #1467: Special Exception – Tower More Than 50 Feet Tall was approved during the Jan. 28, 2025, meeting, granting Network Towers II, LLC, a special exception to install the tower at 6655 Old La Plata Farm Place.
The new wireless telecommunications facility will be built within a 34-by-70-foot fenced compound on a 19.6-acre property located in a Rural Residential (RR) zone. The structure will include a 195-foot monopole with a 4-foot lightning rod.
Verizon Wireless has sent a letter of intent to utilize the site to enhance coverage in Charles County. Other major carriers were asked about potential interest, but for now, Verizon is the only provider committed to the location.
T-Mobile acknowledged the tower’s value in improving service in eastern Charles County but stated they have no immediate plans for expansion. AT&T labeled it a “medium priority” and indicated they may consider it in the future.
The Charles Regional Medical Center has been notified of the project, ensuring awareness that the tower will not impact its land. The new site is expected to strengthen cell service for residents, businesses, and emergency responders in the La Plata area.
As part of the approval process, a balloon test was conducted at 13 locations to evaluate the tower’s visibility. Results showed that the tower was only visible from one location, Grace Lutheran Church, with a view from the northeast.
In email communications, it was noted that per Federal Aviation Administration recommendations, the Charles Regional Medical Center should be notified of the tower installation. The hospital has since been notified, and the information was also forwarded to the Charles County Emergency Department.
The property at 6655 Old La Plata Farm Place, La Plata, Md., will be leased to Network Towers II, LLC, by David H. Chapman under a five-year agreement, with automatic renewal if lease terms remain unchanged.
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could we have a return of payphones, please?
this comment applies to very few, which doesn’t mean its irrelevant. I would like to see flip phones remain working. Some of us are fine with 2g, 3g, 4g. Lets keep the dilapidated technology for those willing to use it.