City Council approves Verizon tower plan for enhanced first responder connectivity

The City of Fate City Council convened on December 2, 2024, to address several key agenda items, including a public hearing on a special use permit (SUP) for a telecommunications tower and a resolution regarding the Rockwall Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.

The meeting began with a presentation from Michael Karanja, representing MD 7 and Verizon Wireless. Karanja highlighted the benefits of a new high-speed broadband network, Verizon Frontline, aimed at enhancing connectivity for first responders. He emphasized that the project would improve coverage for emergency services in the vicinity of a fire department located approximately 1.8 miles from the proposed site.

Council members engaged in discussions regarding the conditions of the SUP, particularly the requirement for the tower to be available for other telecommunications providers on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis. Concerns were raised about ensuring that the SUP would not limit usage to Verizon alone, which could hinder co-location opportunities for other carriers.

After addressing questions and clarifications, the council opened a public hearing at 7:48 PM. No public comments were received, leading to the swift closure of the hearing. The council then deliberated on the specifics of the SUP, confirming that if another carrier were to take over the tower, they would not necessarily need to reapply for the SUP, as long as the use remained consistent.

Following the discussions, a motion was made to pass Ordinance Number 0-2024-068 with the specified SUP requirements. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with a vote of 6-0.

The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item, which involved discussing Resolution Number R2024-095. This resolution aimed to clarify previous resolutions related to casting votes for candidates to the Rockwall Central Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to enhancing telecommunications infrastructure while ensuring fair access for multiple service providers, alongside addressing local governance matters related to the appraisal district.