Planning Commission approves cell phone tower, plat

The Sidney Planning Commission on Monday night approved the construction of a cell phone tower. During the 15-minute meeting, commissioners also unanimously passed a motion to subdivide an unplatted tract of land on Illinois Street.

Jeffrey Skinner, a Verizon Wireless agent, told the commission an 88-foot monopole cellular communications tower at 2585 Fort Sidney Road was needed to keep up with demands for data usage.

“The coverage in town is fairly decent,” he said. “The issue Verizon has is the fact they are having severer capacity issues with data.”

Smart phones and similar devices that can connect to the Internet have put an overwhelming demand on the data capacities of Verizon’s two other towers in town, he added.

Skinner distributed a letter to the commissioners composed by AJ Wolkins, a Verizon engineer, to explain further the need for the tower.

“The proposed site at Fort Sidney Road is an example of Verizon Wireless’ efforts to increase capacity and ensure that out network remains reliable even with increased data usage by our customers,” the letter states, in part.

Skinner added the tower would be able to carry Verizon’s load and two additional carriers.

A radio shelter would be constructed next the tower, and a 75-foot-by-75-foot chain-link fence would secure the entire area. Skinner said while the Federal Aviation Administration does not require a blinking light on the top of the tower – because of its height and location – Verizon would include one if the commissioners requested it.

City Manager Gary Person suggested the commissioners reserve the right to request a light at a later point if needed.

Commissioner Tim Smith asked if this would be the final tower the company would need to install in Sidney and if it could handle excess capacity.

Skinner replied the proposed tower would be the final link to maintain sufficient coverage in the area.

Commissioner Dave McCarville said he thought the tower would be in a good location.

“I worked hard to find a good one out there,” Skinner replied. “That’s a tough area.”

Commission members ultimately passed the permit, with Person’s suggestion included.

The conditional use permit approved allocates five, five-year leases – for a total duration of 25 years. Skinner said should the lease expire, Verizon would return to property to its state before development.

Dan Munson submitted an application for the subdivision of a tract of land at 301 Illinois St. to create one lot and dedicate 50 feet of right away to access the existing lot to the south.

“I purchased this property from the railroad not knowing that it had to be platted,” he said. “I already purchased the ground. I meet with some people here to try to make this work; I’m giving up 50 feet and another 25 feet so there’s still access to the property that the railroad will own to the south of this.”

Munson’s request was approved unanimously.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, Person announced Jonathan Mueller had resigned from the Planning Commission due to relocation, and said Mayor Mark Nienhueser will appoint a replacement at the next City Council meeting.

The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at Sidney City Hall.