Proposed

changes to Fayette's recently enacted law

governing communications towers will be back on

the county Planning Commission agenda for action

May 4.

Planning

Commission members went back to the drawing board

last week, after having backed away from taking a

vote April 6, but decided no further changes were

needed.

Tower

industry representatives April 6 urged the group

to reconsider its plan to reduce the required

distance between towers from two miles to a mile

and a half, arguing that the distance should be

reduced still more, to a mile. But commissioners

decided last week that they want to stay with

their earlier decision, and will put the law on

the May 4 agenda exactly as it was written for

the April 6 meeting.

"I

think we've given them about as much as we ought

to give them at this time," said commission

Chairman Bob Harbison.

Changes

include the reduction in distance between towers

as well as a reduction in the required separation

between towers and nearby homes, from 1,000 feet

down to 750 feet.

The

group also will vote on recommending that tower

companies be allowed to file variances if they

can't possibly provide adequate cell phone

service under current ordinances. As currently

written, the law allows no appeal for hardships.

If

approved by the Planning Commission, the changes

will go to the county Board of Commissioners for

final action May 25.

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