News

Village Council OKs Hendersonville meter reading tower

Hendersonville utilities director Lee Smith explains meter reading project to the Flat Rock Village Council.

By Bill Moss, Published: September 23, 2012

FLAT ROCK — The Flat Rock Village Council approved a tower up to 65 feet tall that Hendersonville utility officials promised would be painted to blend in with the environment.

The tower, one of 13 the city of Hendersonville is erecting as part of its $11 million electronic meter-reading project, is atop a high hill in the Dunroy subdivision at Rutledge Road and Erkwood Drive. The property, which is owned by the city, already contains a city water tower.
The village council approved the special use permit for the tower, which city officials like to call a monopole, after a presentation by utilities director Lee Smith and the contractor, Advanced Wireless Solutions. The tower will be painted brown.
The city had begun replacing 27,000 business and household meters and is getting approval now to erect 13 towers around the service area to read the meters from the sky. The city has installed 800 meters so far, Smith said.
John Drew, who owns property within sight of the water tower, said he would like to see more screening. "I'm just wondering of some other trees can be planted," he said.
The Village Council approved the meter-reading tower with the condition that adding an antenna to it would require another permit.