Planning commission approves three AT&T tower permits after heated public comment on park site

The Fargo Planning Commission on Tuesday approved three conditional-use permits (CUPs) allowing AT&T to install temporary and permanent telecommunications support structures — commonly called cell towers — at Mickelson Fields, on North Dakota State University property near 40th Avenue North, and at Rose Creek Golf Course. The commission approved the three permits after hearing technical presentations from AT&T representatives and more than a half-dozen neighborhood speakers who urged alternatives or additional aesthetic and safety protections.

The permits were presented by planning staff as part of AT&T’s priority FirstNet initiative to bolster emergency-response wireless coverage in parts of North Fargo. Planning staff and the applicant described each site as meeting the Fargo Land Development Code requirements for height and separation for telecommunications support structures; the CUPs approve the land-use exceptions needed because the proposed heights exceed by-right limits in the applicable zones.

Why it matters: AT&T said the three sites narrow persistent coverage gaps on Fargo’s north side and are part of an emergency-response network upgrade. Neighbors and the Horace Mann Neighborhood Association countered that the Mickelson Fields placement — adjacent to playgrounds, ball fields and a popular sledding hill — will harm park aesthetics, could reduce nearby property values and raises concerns about long-term radio-frequency exposure for children.

Staff presentation and applicant case Donald Kress of the Fargo Department of Planning and Development told the commission the CUPs would allow towers taller than the by-right limits in the PI (public institutional) and LI (limited industrial) zones and that the site plans include both temporary “ballast-mounted” installations and permanent monopoles. Kress said the temporary units are intended to go up quickly and overlap with the permanent facilities for a limited time while final construction is completed; the application materials estimated the overlap at about 45 days.

Hugh Bielka (Terra Consulting), representing AT&T, said the sites were chosen after a search of the coverage area and that other properties in the search band (including Horace Mann Elementary and the El Zagal golf course) were ruled out as unbuildable for the carrier’s technical and zoning constraints. “These are priority sites for AT&T as an initiative through their FirstNet emergency response systems,” Bielka said, adding that the permanent towers include capacity for colocation by at least one other carrier as required by the city ordinance.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns Several nearby residents urged denial or more conditions on the Mickelson Fields CUP. Dana Woodruff (condo resident near Oak Street) told commissioners the tower would be “three to four times taller than my condo building” and said it would change park views and the character of the sledding hill. “This removes this — it degrades the park,” she said. Dawn Nygward, co-president of the Horace Mann Neighborhood Association, said the Park District’s lease would pay about $1,200 per month with a 25-year term and 1.5% annual escalator; she said neighborhood analysis estimated a potential $20,000 reduction in resale value for nearby homes and urged the commission to reconsider the location.

Teresa Nightingale, another nearby resident, raised concerns about unsettled science on long-term radio-frequency exposure for children who use the park. “The science on the potential harm is unsettled but there is research that shows that there is a problem,” she said.

Commission discussion and conditions Commissioners asked about landscaping, fencing and opportunities to soften the tower’s appearance. Planning staff said the city ordinance requires allowance for colocation and does not mandate a specific stealth design; staff also noted park-district requirements and building-permit review would be separate processes and could include additional screening or fencing details negotiated between the applicant and the park district. The applicant said the monopole was likely to visually blend with existing light poles but acknowledged the commission could impose additional aesthetic conditions.

Votes and appeals - Mickelson Fields CUP (permanent tower ~120 feet; temporary ballast mount while permanent is installed): the commission approved the CUP by roll call, 5 ayes, 3 noes. (Ayes: Rosenberg, Shuey, Glahe, Haas, Tassa; Noes: Mose, Betlock, Georgi.) - NDSU-area CUP (PI zone; requested height ~120 feet): approved unanimously (9–0). - Rose Creek Golf Course CUP (LI zone; proposed height up to ~145–150 feet): approved unanimously (9–0).

Next steps and appeals Approving a CUP does not substitute for building permits or for any additional Park District or federal approvals. Staff noted the NDSU-area permit includes a required condition: documentation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the tower height prior to installation because of airport proximity. Under Fargo’s Land Development Code (LDC) Section 29-03(B), the Planning Commission is the final decision maker on CUPs; appeals of decisions must be filed with the city commission within 10 days of the decision (deadline for these April 1 actions: April 11, 2025).

Clarifying details and sources - Temporary/permanent overlap: applicant estimated about 45 days of overlap between temporary and permanent towers (applicant presentation). - Mickelson Field tower height proposed: ~120 feet (applicant materials). - NDSU-area tower height proposed: ~120 feet (applicant materials). - Rose Creek Golf Course proposed height: ~145–150 feet (applicant materials). - Park District lease (as quoted to commissioners): $1,200/month, 25-year term, 1.5% annual escalator (Dawn Nygward’s statement to commission).

Commissioners and the public said the applications and public comment will inform the city’s ongoing Land Development Code rewrite, which could change how similar applications are evaluated and what design standards are required for future tower applications.