A proposed settlement on a digital TV broadcast on Lookout Mountain was sharply rejected by Jefferson County commissioners today despite a new federal law that appears to trump their local land-use authority.
“Not only no, but fill-in-the-blank no,” said Commissioner Jim Congrove.
“I want to get this settled, but this falls short,” Commissioner Kevin McCasky said of the proposal that would mean the county would give up any litigation rights and the four existing towers wouldn’t be removed until legal challenges are finished.
Lake Cedar Group – the local TV station consortium that wants to build a 730-foot-high tower – is not interested in further talks, a spokesman said.
The whole matter appears headed for Judge Brooke Jackson’s court next Monday. Lake Cedar Group has asked Jackson to dismiss the lawsuit over zoning for the towers in light of the federal legislation.