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Commission approves additional Verizon antennas at Oread Hotel with concealment conditions
Summary
The commission approved modifications to the Oread Hotel final development plan allowing Verizon to install additional cellular antennas on the penthouse, subject to concealment materials and construction compliance; the Police Department indicated the upgrade would improve coverage during large events.
The City Commission on Tuesday approved a revised final development plan to permit additional cellular antennas on the west side of the Oread Hotel penthouse at 1200 Oread Avenue. The revised plan, submitted by Verizon Wireless, updates an earlier 2009 development plan that had specified different concealment locations for communications equipment.
Planning staff recommended approval with conditions requiring paint or material matching of visible cables and use of concealment film where antennas are mounted outside existing encasements. The commission approved the modification and required the project to comply with the city’s adopted building and demolition codes.
Why it matters: City staff also cited public-safety benefits. The Police Department’s information‑services manager said improved coverage and throughput in the Oread area would help officers communicate during large events such as football games, parades and other high‑attendance gatherings.
Key details
• Proposal: Verizon requested installation of additional building‑mounted antennas on the penthouse; some antenna elements will be wrapped to match the building stone or to mimic the sky for the small portion extending above the roofline. One of the development plan’s flagpole concealments will be repaired or replaced.
• Staff review: Planning staff found the proposal meets the city’s wireless facility standards and the criteria for a modified final development plan. Staff recommended approval with concealment and construction conditions listed in the staff report.
• Public safety comment: Jason Hodge, manager in the Lawrence Police Department’s information‑services division, spoke in support, saying the upgrade would "significantly enhance coverage and throughput in a key area of the community, particularly during high traffic events." (public comment)
Vote and motion
• Motion: Approve the revised final development plan (DB24‑1004) for the Oread Hotel with conditions including concealment material matching and adherence to the International Fire Code during construction. Mover: Commissioner Finkelstein; Second: Commissioner Larson. Vote: 5–0 (motion passed).
Next steps
Verizon will complete concealment work and minor repairs to the approved flagpole encasement; the project must comply with building-permit requirements and related construction codes. Planning staff will continue to review and inspect the work per permit conditions.
— Ending note: The commission framed the action as a routine, conditioned modification to allow upgraded wireless capacity in a key downtown location.
