The Saga of the Sun Valley Clock Tower

UPDATE

May 15, 2011

Sun Valley Clock Tower Update
by
Warren Brighton, SVCAB Chair More >

The Saga of the Sun Valley Clock Tower
(A Symbol)
January 24, 2011
Updated Feb. 2, 2011

Amazing What Shining A Spotlight On Something Can Do (read on)

In Sun Valley, for some time now, there is a reoccurring grievance by community leaders, with what is typically referred to as “the Clock Tower.” The “Clock Tower” is designed to hide the true purpose of the Tower, which is an 80-foot tall tower for cell phone dish antennas.

In November 2000 the Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) approved the tower on a 3 to 2 vote. This Cell/Clock Tower was originally permitted in February 2001. In the intervening years, after construction, the clock has had some number of difficulties, such as the clock faces having radically different times. Recently a major windstorm severely damaged the clock faces, which has some residents upset as one more aggravation.

Apparent mixed signals from different county representatives has caused some consternation. In an email from a county representative, some community leaders are interpreting several sentences as examples that the county is slighting Sun Valley. They read –

“Believe it or not, having a citizen (like Susan Severt) build an effective relationship with the property owner (Nevada Bell) and tower owner (Tower Co) is far better than having “big brother” involved. The current tower owner has been more responsive than the previous owners, so this is a good time to build this relationship.”

“Again, there is no county code violation, no special use permit violation that can be enforced. The Tower’s purpose of providing cell signal is still being met, despite that fact the clock-face was recently damaged by the wind or keeping the wrong time.”

Warren Brighton, Chairman of the Sun Valley Citizen Advisory Board (SVCAB), states the Clock Tower is symbolic of the “County’s” mismanagement and questions how often Special Use Permit conditions go un-enforced.

Upon mentioning the Clock-Tower to Commissioner Bonnie Weber, she stated, “I thought that was taken care of, that Susan Severt was going to handle it.”

The current owner of the tower, “TowerCo” representative David Hockey, states that new clock faces are under construction. Completion of repairs are expected by February 15, 2011.

“David Hockey of TowerCo is easy to work with, he is always responsive and fully expects that TowerCo will complete repairs by their February 15 date, barring the unforeseen,” said Sandra Monsalve, Senior Planner Washoe County Community Development

The future for the Clock-Tower looks to be good, hopefully, past problems are just that, in the past.

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Conditions 7 and 8 of the special use permit read —
7. The proposed monopole shall be designed and treated as an architectural feature that is constructed as a Clock Tower, a landmark for Sun Valley; that would remain once the need for the monopole ceases. The applicant shall meet with the Design Review Committee to establish color, types of building materials to be used, and overall architectural design for the clock tower. The Department of Community Development shall determine compliance with this decision.

8. Maintenance of the clock tower and clock working mechanisms will be the sole responsibility of the operator of the wireless communications facility, until the facility is abandoned. If ownership of the facility changes, the condition will carry over to the new owner(s). The Department of Community Development shall determine compliance with this condition.

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