Update #11: The project went before the Board of Supervisors on 11/13/24. It then went to the Board of Supervisors business meeting on 11/19/24 where it was approved. 

Update #10: The Milestone Towers Project was approved by the Planning Commission and will go before the Board of Supervisors on November 13, 2024.  Project documents submitted to the County can be found here. 

Please see responses to the Planning Commission community comments/questions below.

• September 2024 study, The effect of exposure to radiofrequency field on cancer risk, which included 63 aetiological (cause or contributing factor) articles, published between 1994 and 2022, with participants from 22 countries, reporting on 119 different E-O pairs (Exposure-Outcome pairs is a relationship between a factor that may be associated with an outcome and the outcome itself) can be found here.  Conclusions:

  • Exposure to RF from mobile phone use likely does not increase the risk of brain cancer.

  • RF from broadcasting antennas or base stations likely does not increase the risk of childhood cancer.

  • Occupational exposure to RF may not increase the risk of brain cancer.

• DMB Engineering completed an electromagnetic (radio frequency) exposure analysis for the proposed tower site at Clarks Gap.  The report concludes that the tower site, with AT&T and future wireless carriers installed, will be in compliance with the US federal human exposure limits by a wide margin.  The PDF version of the report is available for review here.

Update #9: The Milestone Towers Project will go before the Planning Commission on September 24, 2024.

Update #8: 2nd Balloon Fly

Based on the wind speed Sunday morning the balloon was only able to fly for two hours (8:00 am – 10:00 am).

 

Update #7: 2nd Balloon Fly – SUNDAY, APRIL 14th

Given the forecast of high winds Saturday, April 13th the balloon fly will take place on SUNDAY, APRIL 14th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Please feel free to pass this update along to any neighbors or interested parties. 

For safety reasons, please do not park or walk along or in the right-of-way where the balloon is being flown.

 

Update #6: 2nd Balloon Fly – POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

Given the forecast of inclement forecast for the upcoming weekend, we are postponing the balloon fly to the weekend of April 13th.  Rain is expected all day Saturday (3/23) and high winds are forecasted for Sunday (3/24).

The new balloon fly date is Saturday, April 13th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm with weather reschedule date of Sunday, April 14th (8am-12pm). 

Please feel free to pass this update along to any neighbors or interested parties.  In addition, a notice will be mailed out on March 27.  

 

Update #5: 2nd Balloon Fly – POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

Update #4: Please click here to view the online Town Hall presentation held Thursday, February 22^nd. 

Please see responses to the Town Hall community comments/questions below.

• DMB Engineering completed an electromagnetic (radio frequency) exposure analysis for the proposed tower site at Clarks Gap.  The report concludes that the tower site with AT&T and future wireless carriers installed.  They all will be in compliance with the US federal human exposure limits by a wide margin.  The PDF version of the report is available for review here.

• Will AT&T interfere with my Starlink connection?  Please click here to view the non-interference letter provided by AT&T.

• How many people/parcels will receive robust coverage by adding this tower?  Based on Loudoun County GIS there are 565 parcels within a one-mile radius.  Per point2homes.com, 69% of households have 3 persons/household (1170).  31% of households have 1 person/household (175).  ~1,345 people will experience robust service.

• Based on VDOT AADT map the average daily travel on Rt 7 & Rt 9 is 91,000.

• These numbers do not include daily number of those walking the W&OD trail or those at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds.

• In response to a request for additional viewpoints of the proposed tower facility along the existing roadways, four (4) new photo simulations have been added to the project website and can be viewed under the “What Will It Look Like?” page 

Update #3: 2nd Balloon Fly

We typically conduct the community balloon fly on a weekend to ensure as much community participation as possible. Our first balloon fly was moved to Monday, February 19th (Presidents Day) due to bad weather conditions on the weekend. During the Town Hall we mentioned scheduling a second balloon fly based on community feedback. Please see event information below:

Community Balloon Fly: Saturday, March 9th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm with weather reschedule date of Sunday, March 10th. A balloon will be flown at the proposed location and height to provide a visual reference for the tower.

For safety reasons, please do not park or walk along or in the right-of-way where the balloon is being flown.

(In case of bad weather, the balloon fly will be rescheduled for Sunday, March 10th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The decision will be made based on the weather forecast and posted here on the home page by 6 pm Friday, March 8th.)

Update #2:

Given the inclement weather forecasted for the coming weekend, we are adjusting the balloon fly to take place from 8AM-12PM on Monday, February 19 (President’s Day).

Snow is expected during the originally-scheduled date and time (Saturday, 8AM-12PM).

Moderate winds with gusts up to 20 MPH are currently forecasted for the planned make-up date (Sunday). Another factor in the decision to reschedule the ballon fly was to ensure we do not disrupt residual snow removal efforts by VDOT on Sunday morning.

For safety reasons, please do not park or walk along or in the right-of-way where the balloon is being flown.

Please feel free to pass this update along to any neighbors or interested parties. An update is being added to the project website with this information as well.

Update #1: There are two upcoming community events:

Community Balloon Fly: On Saturday, February 17th from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm a balloon will be flown at the proposed location and height to provide a visual reference for the tower.

Online Town Hall: On Thursday, February 22nd @ 6:00 pm we will hold an online Town Hall webinar consisting of a short presentation followed by a question and answer time. Registration is required and can be completed on the Town Hall page.

(IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER THE BALLOON FLY WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, february 18TH FROM 8:00 AM TO 12:00 PM. THE DECISION WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE WEATHER FORECAST AND POSTED HERE ON THE HOME PAGE BY 6 PM FRIDAY, february 16Th)