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Mapped location of the proposed cell tower in relation to the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport/ Courtesy FAA
Airport concerns quelled about tower height
The city of Sulphur Springs will get another cell phone tower, per actions of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA).
PLANNING AND ZONING
P&Z began their discussion on Sept. 21 of the proposed tower after first deliberating regarding duplexes at Spence and Fisher Streets [see related story] and rezoning the Thermo mine property [see related story].
The wireless communications tower presented to P&Z was proposed at a height of 150 feet, according to city documents and located at 1212 West Industrial Drive, also known as 683 Gossett Lane.
“This request is 156 foot with all the appurtenances on top of the tower,” community development director Tory Niewiadomski told the board. “This is for the property just west of the city’s water tower at Coleman Park. AT&T is proposing to install a cell-supporting tower.”
Niewiadomski noted that for reference, the water tower stands at 94 feet in height. Niewiadomski stated the city currently has four cell towers: at Wildcat Way, McKinsey Drive, and Kirksey and Jefferson Streets.
He also stated that per Federal Aviation Administration requirements, the company had completed a study and found that the proposed tower encroached by 15 feet into the nearby Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport’s airspace.
“Due to being in the direct flight path, we did find the tower will penetrate our airspace by 15 feet,” Niewiadomski said. He noted airport director Joey Baker “did cite an objection to that penetration, but would not have a problem if the tower were lowered.”
Niewiadomski gave the board the option to deny the permit or accept with the condition the tower was lowered.
Brent Dossier, of Jacobs Engineering, stated the reason for the tower location was, “this was a specific call from your citizens and businesses and emergency response teams they have low, bad or no cell coverage.”
“This is a specific response to complaints in your area,” Dossier told the board.
“Would it be a problem to shorten the tower?” board member Pat Chase inquired. Dossier indicated engineers could work around shortening the tower.
“I would prefer 156 [feet] but I could go to 141 [feet] and that is absolutely perfectly fine,” Dossier said.
With no further questions, the group unanimously approved the special use permit under the condition the cell tower would be lowered from 156 feet in height to 141 feet in height.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
The Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) convened on Sept. 22 to take up the cell phone tower special use permit for final approval or rejection, among other items of business.
Niewiadomski briefed ZBA that the previous evening, P&Z had approved the request with stated conditions to be met.
“We held a public hearing last night… it’s on the direct approach to the airport, and there’s an obstruction to the airport,” Niewiadomski repeated. “As the height was reduced, there was no further objection. They can make that height of 141 feet work… that satisfied the airport director’s concern.”
With no further discussion, the group unanimously approved the special use permit provided the engineers provide an updated FAA study.