GOLDEN — For the second time, a horizontal broadcast tower proposed on Mount Morrison has been approved by Jefferson County commissioners.
A 135-foot-high, trapezoid-shaped tower above Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the intended home for Public Interest Communication stations, including KRMA-Channel 6, Channel 59-TV and DTV, KUVO-FM, KVOD-FM and KIMN-FM.
A hearing on the tower rezoning, proposed by Bear Creek Development Co., was held Tuesday after the case was remanded back to the county by the Colorado Court of Appeals. County commissioners unanimously approved the project.
“It’s premature to say what we’ll do, but this is not in conformance with the county’s telecommunications land-use plan and the central mountains community plan,” said Deb Carney, attorney for the Canyon Area Residents for the Environment.
In March 2003, a different county board voted 2-1 in favor of the rezoning, which was challenged in court by the canyon area organization. It represents 30 homeowner groups along the Interstate 70 corridor.
The appeals court ruled that the county had permitted the applicants to make “substantial changes” on the tower structure and antennas after public testimony was closed; had failed to determine whether there were alternative sites; and had failed to consider whether the tower conformed with the county’s land-use plans.
Opponents at the hearing said the tower’s main beam is aimed at residential areas to the north; the tower face is seven times larger than that of the current tower’s; and that concerns remain about its visual impact, interference and health effects. Supporters said there are no other viable sites and that there is a need for free TV signals.
As part of the plan, the existing Channel 59 tower on Mount Morrison would be removed and the Channel 6 tower on Lookout Mountain would be dismantled.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
