South County Federation Says "No' on Verizon Monopole

by James Cullum

The South County Federation has unanimously voted against a proposed 110-foot Verizon monopole at 7685 Pohick Rd. at its meeting on Tuesday, July 9.
 
Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland called the location an "atrocity" at the meeting. "I'm not going to support it," he said. 
 According to the resolution passed by the Federation: 

"The proposed site for the cell tower does not offer adequate opportunities to mitigate the visual impact of the structure to the adjacent residential properties."

The steel monopole would have 15 antennas on the site, which is currently occupied by a self storage center. The Federation was concerned of the visual impact it would have on the nearby Lorton Station and Pohick Estates communities. 

The Federation wanted Verizon to consider alternative locations at existing cell tower sites at 7401/7361 Lockport Pl., but there Verizon reported that there was not enough space on those towers.

Fairfax County Planning and Zoning staff are also in opposition. 

"Staff does not support that location, either," said Chris Caperton, Laurel Hill project coordinator for the Department of Planning and Zoning. 

Should Verizon proceed with their application, the Federation's recommendation will go to the Fairfax County Planning Commission and then the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who make the final determination on approval. 

The federation is a non-profit comprised of Lorton business owners, residents and civic and citizens associations.