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Board directs staff to explore options for improving cell coverage, including cell‑tower leases
Summary
After a staff briefing on coverage and capacity constraints, the board authorized staff to research heat maps, potential park or township sites, and leasing or build/lease models to improve cell service in The Woodlands.
The Woodlands Township on March 26 voted to direct staff to pursue a detailed exploration of options to improve cell coverage and capacity across the township, including mapping underserved areas and investigating possible leases or tower builds on township land.
William Pham, the township's chief technology and innovation officer, told the board that the township faces both coverage (distance from towers, blocked signals) and capacity (too many users in an area) problems: "I think everybody realizes we have coverage issues and capacity issues in The Woodlands," Pham said. He described constraints including limited available land for conventional tower sites and pre‑existing land‑use agreements with the original developer that have restricted earlier carrier requests to site equipment on township property.
Pham said carriers install small cells in street rights‑of‑way, on buildings and on water towers, and that larger tower installations can cost "a couple million dollars to install." Board members discussed potential revenue from leases — one director noted a private example where a tower produced $8,000 to $10,000 per month for a landowner — and the need to coordinate with Howard Hughes and other property owners. The board discussed whether to pursue a heat map to identify underserved neighborhoods and whether to identify specific township parcels suitable for leases.
Director Anne Snyder moved that staff pursue the full research program described by board members: mapping underserved areas with heat maps, engaging Howard Hughes and other partners, and exploring third‑party tower developers that secure multi‑carrier leases on township land. Director Heizer seconded the motion. The chair called for the vote and announced "Motion carries." The board did not approve any leases or construction; the motion authorizes staff to research legal, technical and financial options and to return with a report and cost estimate.
Clarifying details captured during the discussion: a typical cell‑tower installation cost was described as "a couple million dollars" and board members discussed legal and land‑use hurdles including developer land‑use agreements and potential public‑hearing requirements for use of designated parkland. Staff said prior carrier approaches and heat‑map data exist and that the next step will involve compiling a more detailed, township‑specific study and identifying parcels suitable for proposals.
Next steps: staff were directed to begin investigations (heat maps, legal review, revenue modeling and partner outreach) and to report back with recommendations and potential procurement or lease approaches.
