Whitetop Cell Tower

Last fall, our community came together to craft a shared vision—one rooted in unity, trust, and respect.  With that vision statement, we affirmed our commitment to environmental stewardship, financial independence, and the preservation of Whitetop’s rich local history and heritage. It was understood that community leaders would work in alignment with this vision and that decisions affecting our home would reflect these values.

Today, we find ourselves confronting a situation that challenges that understanding.

Grayson County currently lists three main criteria for selecting the location of a new cell tower:

1) Cost
2) Coverage
3) Time to Complete

‍While these factors are important, they don't fully reflect the broader commitments outlined in the County’s own Comprehensive Plan, which pledges to:

• Recognize local community plans and include them in countywide planning efforts
• Protect historic resources and the natural environment
• Preserve the character of individual communities within the county

We believe it’s essential that these values guide infrastructure decisions. That’s why we’re asking the County to add a fourth criteria to the tower selection process: Alignment with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.Let’s ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of the very character and heritage that make our community special.

Current Status of the Project

At the County/Community meeting last week, the county presented information about the Fire Department's property as an alternate location for the cell tower. They said the site would work, but the cell coverage would drop by approximately 27% for Whitetop residents.

However, when the coverage map for the alternate location is compared to the Old Park Rd location (maps are below) it appears the loss of coverage was not for Whitetop residents, but to areas in NC, the Creeper Trail, and Washington County. The county has gone back to US Cellular to clarify this and confirm they had the correct community boundaries when they did their calculations.

The other concerns with using the alternate site is the additional cost to do a second geological study, and the delay in completing the project. These are similar obstacles the county had to overcome when they moved the Fees Ridge tower to Walnut Knob.
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What we Know About the Cell Tower

• Location: 854 Old Park Road
• Height: 229 feet, with a flashing light on top
• Type of Tower: Lattice Frame
• Footprint: 100’ x 100’, fenced perimeter & concrete driveway
• 911 Services: All alternate sites being considered will have no impact on 911 service.
• Land Lease: Paid to the private landowner by US Cellular
• Service Providers: US Cellular, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T will offer service on this tower.

GIS Map | Location of the Tower

Why We’re Concerned

• Lack of Transparency & Community Engagement: When this project was first presented to the community, the proposed location was Pond Mountain. Three months later,without notice or input from residents, the location was changed to Old Park Road, in the heart of the Whitetop neighborhood.  
• Impact on a Historic Community Landscape: The Whitetop/Old Park corridor may not be formally registered as a historic district, but it is undeniably the historic heart of our community. The placement of a 282-foot tower—with a flashing light—will permanently alter the scenic views of Whitetop Mountain that define our home and draw visitors to this unique place.
• Lost Opportunity for Public Benefit: If the tower is placed on the Fire Department’s property, the $12,000/year in rental income would support essential public services. Instead, those funds will go to a private landowner.
• Devaluation of Surrounding Properties: Cell towers can reduce nearby property values, especially when visible, due to aesthetic and health concerns

Friends of Whitetop
Email us @ friendsofwhitetop@gmail.com
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