City to consider cell tower, gravel permits

The Sidney planning commission will hear several proposals at its Monday meeting that could impact the community.

Viaero Wireless, which plans to lease land from owner Sean Blackburn, will ask the planning commission for a conditional use permit to build a temporary cell tower in Sidney. The company plans to place the tower at the back of a vacant lot located at 2575 11th Ave., directly north of the bowling alley.

This temporary cell tower on wheels will help alleviate demand for 4G cell service in south Sidney until a permanent site is located, according to the conditional use permit application.

The Viaero network is experiencing a high volume of use and consequently slow data speeds in south Sidney, according to information submitted for the planning commission’s review.

“An antennae height of at least 60’ is required to penetrate existing foliage and to provide coverage to the affected areas,” the document stated.

Although this land is zoned for commercial activity, it is located in a mostly residential area.

At the planning commission’s July 21 meeting, Fred and Jacques Neal will request a conditional use permit in order to mine and process sand and gravel on their property. Although the land in question is located a half mile outside the city limits along County Road 113, it is within the city’s two mile zone of influence in which it considers conditional use permits and zoning.

Gravel from the pit will initially be used for U.S. defense missile road contracts, however the owners would also like to keep the pit open in the future in order to sell to local contractors.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Turf Irrigation will request a conditional use permit to extract and process sand and gravel. This property is also located outside the city limits but within its zone of influence. The ground in question is just north of the city boundaries on County Road 115. This company plans to enter into a contract with Cheyenne County in order to provide that entity with gravel for roads at a lower price than what is currently available in the area, according to the permit application.