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Planning commission recommends approval of Verizon cell tower near Bridge Road parcel
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a 199-foot monopole telecommunications tower at 3927 Bridge Road. Staff found the proposal met UDO criteria and the FAA does not require obstruction lighting for the proposed height; the recommendation goes to City Council for final action.
The City of Suffolk Planning Commission on July 15 recommended approval of conditional use permit CUP2025-00009 to establish a telecommunications tower on property at 3927 Bridge Road.
Staff planner Matthew Madaraga told the commission the applicant proposes a 195-foot monopole with a 4-foot lightning rod for a total structure height of 199 feet within an approximately 10,000-square-foot compound on a 19.47-acre property used by a church. Madaraga said the property is zoned OI (office institutional) and lies within the Northern Growth Area; staff concluded the request meets the conditional-use criteria in section 31-3-06 of the Unified Development Ordinance and recommended approval subject to conditions.
Jonathan Yates, the applicant's representative, said the site was chosen to meet Verizon’s coverage needs and that the facility is designed to accommodate up to three additional carriers in the future. "This facility, perfect location. It was exactly where Verizon wanted to be," Yates told commissioners. He described the tower as "infrastructure" and said it would improve wireless voice, broadband and 911 connectivity. Yates also described the construction timeline, saying tower stacking takes a day and most work afterwards is remote monitoring with roughly "8 to 10 visits a year." He added the FAA reviewed the project and determined air navigation lighting was not required because the structure is 199 feet and FAA lighting typically applies at 200 feet and above.
Commissioners asked about long-term maintenance and co-location by other carriers; Yates said Milestone Communications will maintain the site and that other carriers commonly decide later whether to co-locate. After public comment and a brief question-and-answer period, a motion to approve the CUP with the conditions in the staff report carried by roll call vote, 8-0. The commission chair said the item will be transmitted to City Council for consideration.
