P&Z vote split on cell tower
The Navasota Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session Thursday, June 13, and acted on two items after public hearings were concluded but not all votes cast were unanimous.
With three commissioners voting yes, two voting no and one abstention, a Conditional Use Permit Application submitted by Hassell Development and Tillman Infrastructure for development of a 200-foot self-support tower for a wireless communication facility was approved on the condition landscaping is added. The 75.96 acres at 9256 FM 1227 is zoned A/O: Agriculture/Open Space District and cell towers are permitted uses in A/O districts.
In a lengthy public hearing, there were comments for and against but according to Community Development Director Lupe Diosdado, just one inquiry had been received from nearby Heritage Meadows concerned only with whether or not tower construction would increase flooding. The proposed tower is located 802 feet from the subdivision. A 20-year old tower owned by SBA Communications is in place 60 feet from the subdivision and 1,500 feet north of the proposed Tillman tower.
Speaking on behalf of property owner James Hassell and Tillman Infrastructure was Steve Woody who said that AT&T has entered into an agreement with Tillman, pending permit approval, to collocate their wireless antennas on the facility which can accommodate 3-4 additional carriers.
Woody described the competitive nature of the industry and the pricing issues between tower companies and wireless carriers that he said contributes to increased prices for cellphone customers. He doesn’t expect the tower to increase coverage, but it will not decrease coverage, and said SBA’s objection is about competition.
Woody said, “Landowners in Navasota have been allowed the opportunity to lease their land for tower sites at other locations so Mr. Hassell only asks for the same consideration that has been afforded others.”
Speaking in opposition to approval of the permit was College Station attorney Wayne Rife representing SBA Communications who called the permit request an “economic power play” and asserted that the parcel of undeveloped land north of the Tiller tower site will eventually be residential. This was later disputed by Has-sell who said he plans to develop it as commercial property.
Rife stated that SBA, who already owns three of Navasota’s six towers, has a current agreement with AT&T to add additional infrastructure to their tower, their tower already services the area and the two towers “will be side by side and not improving coverage at all.”
Rife said in summary, “In our opinion, it doesn’t meet the standard and the conditional use permit should not be granted.”
Woody countered, “I believe It’s going to provide a great platform that structurally meets the integrity of the standards of today’s towers that are much higher than they were 10-15 years ago. So, this is going to provide a great place for 5G.”
Commissioners discussed landscaping, fencing and if the City can remove the SBA tower if the permit was approved and those carriers vacated.
Voting yea were Carolyn Katkoski, Randy Peters and Dr. John Walla. Dia Copeland and Sarah Korpita voted nay and James Harris abstained. Commissioner Patty Tokoly was absent.
Rezoning off
SH 90 approved
After a public hearing with no comments for or against, commissioners approved the recommendation to rezone six properties east of SH 6 located on, or in the area of, SH 90 South. Five of the properties are currently zoned A/O: Agriculture/Open Space District while one property has split zoning of A/O and B-1, General Business District.
Three properties were rezoned B-1: 2.35 acres east of Navasota Junior High School, 2.057 acres where Citizens State Bank is located and 3.209 acres directly behind it.
Three properties within the southeast of quadrant SH 6 and SH 90 South totaling 49.03 acres were approved for R-3, High Density, Multi-dwelling Unit, Residential.
According to Diosdado, there was no opposition from property owners, only two inquiries about taxes and Diosdado confirmed that zoning will not affect property taxes.
Representing the City of Navasota were Kris Gruver, Community Relations Specialist, Lupe Diosdado, Community Development Director, William More, administrative intern and Attorney Luke Cochran.