COVINGTON, Ga. – Covington residents with little cell service may soon be able to enjoy increased service availability. The Covington city council unanimously approved a special use permit (SUP) for a T-Mobile telecommunications tower which is set to improve network connectivity in the surrounding area. 

The monopole tower, located on 8170 Bob Williams Parkway, will be 190 feet on a property of 14.83 acres, which backs up to I-20. The service will extend from west of Alcovy Road to Emory Street and as far towards downtown Covington as possible. 

The SUP was requested due to it being in an Airport Hazard Overlay, which restricts to 150 feet above airport elevation. However, the applicant, Mattaniah Jahn, received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration which deemed it as not hazardous to air navigation. 

Jahn said that if it were to be shortened, they would lose area coverage. Because of this, she asked for relief from the council. 

The cell tower will be placed on the tree line, allowing less visibility to neighboring properties and would be placed 0.35 miles away from the nearest residential area, minimizing visual or noise concerns. 

“The tower’s purpose is to improve coverage and network capacity in the surrounding area, especially given the increased demand for mobile and data services,” said Judy Thagard, planning director, while reading the applicant’s presentation. 

With conditions that the tower must not reach over 195 feet in height, council member Susie Keck made the motion to approve the cell tower. Council member Charika Davis seconded the motion and the council unanimously approved.