Polk County to hold three public hearings Monday

COLUMBUS—After hearing concern over cell service coverage in many areas of the county, the Polk County Board of Commissioners will consider cell tower ordinance amendments on Monday. 

A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 in the R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice, located on the second floor of the Womack building in Columbus. 

The amendments could open up cell towers in all of the zoned areas of the county, including in RE5, which is located in Hunting Country as a specialized district with 5-acre minimums. 

Commissioners heard from county planner Cathy Ruth during the latest meeting that the amendments will open up areas where cell towers are currently not permitted. 

Commissioners can make cell towers by right or make them a conditional use in zoned areas. 

There will be two other public hearings on Monday as well, all beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Other public hearings will be held for subdivision, junkyard and well ordinance amendments. Those amendments are minor revisions to the ordinances. 

Following the public hearings, commissioners will begin the regular meeting, where they will consider approving all the proposed amendments.