The 114-ft. tall telecommunications monopole with antennas and a 2,500 sq. ft. support facility planned for the Wolf Trap Fire Station site at the intersection of Beulah Road and Route 7 is the focus of the March 15 public webinar hosted by Great Falls Citizens Association. Because space is limited, those wishing to attend should register as soon as possible at this link.

Milestone Communications, the Reston-based company seeking to the erect the cell tower, is seeking a special exception from Fairfax County for the project. The company has constructed similar towers in Fairfax County and elsewhere. While Verizon is expected to be the predominate communications carrier, the tower will accommodate other users.

The tower would be located in the southeast corner of fire station’s parking lot, approximately 360 feet from the nearest residence. It is anticipated that the facility would require only one to two vehicle trips per month for maintenance purposes.

Although Milestone has maintained that the unmanned facility will have little impact on neighboring properties while providing improved cell phone service in the surrounding area along with better internet speed and voice connectivity for Verizon customers, some nearby residents are concerned about the visual and health effects that the tower will have on their families and the community.

McLean Citizens Association declared its support for the project in early February. However, GFCA’s Land Use and Zoning Committee continues to work with residents to ensure that their voices are heard and concerns addressed before the Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing on May 12.

Milestone has created an online advertising brochure that includes renderings of what the tower might look like from a number of nearby locations. Click here to visit that website page.