After a long discussion Thursday night, the Yankton County Commission approved a conditional use permit for a communications tower in the Lewis and Clark Lake area.
Area residents near the proposed tower site voiced numerous objections including the impact to property values, the tower would make it difficult to sell un-sold lots near it, potential damage to the minimum maintenance road leading to the site and that there are better sites elsewhere.
Officials with A-T&T spoke about providing high-quality cel-phone coverage throughout the Lewis and Clark Lake area, particularly during the summer months when cel-phone traffic is very heavy due to the number of visitors at the state recreation area.
The conditional use permit was granted contingent upon the development of a maintenance agreement for the road to the tower site on a four to one vote.
