Fairfax County Board OKs Disputed Cell Tower at Herndon High School

Following months of opposition from local residents, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the addition of a cell tower at Herndon High School on Tuesday.

In response to concerns about the location and size of the facility, Milestone reduced the monopole’s height from 124 to 114 feet and the facility’s size from 2,590 to 1,175 square feet. The latest plan also shifts most of the ground equipment under the visitor’s bleachers and away from a more central location on the football field.

Still, residents said concerns about the use of the field for the facility remained unaddressed.

““We have consistently opposed the monopole because it is taking valuable land from our schools. It is a hazard to our children and is inconsistent with the school,” said Heather Metz, a Herndon High School parent who helped launched an online petition to oppose the facility.

Others said they were concerned the pole and facility was placed between in the middle of the football field.

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said it was misleading to suggest the facility was located in the middle of the field.

“The reality is, that’s not where the pole and the compound are,” Foust said, adding that the revised proposal addresses many of the community’s concerns.

“I think everybody has done their best to minimize the impact of this proposal.”

Other board supervisors expressed dismay that a representative from Fairfax County Public Schools was not present at the meeting to allay concerns.

Vernon Miles contributed reporting to this story.

Photo via Milestone