Planning commission recommends city approve 120-foot Core Electric communication tower at 5955 Trout Creek Road

The Woodland Park Planning Commission voted 6-0 on June 12 to recommend that Woodland Park City Council approve a special use permit allowing Core Electric Cooperative to replace an existing 63-foot lattice communication tower with a new 120-foot lattice tower (130 feet to top of appurtenances) at 5955 Trout Creek Road in the agricultural zone.

The recommendation follows a staff presentation and an applicant briefing describing the replacement as necessary to restore microwave line-of-sight, improve outage detection and isolation, and maintain communications used by emergency services. The commission’s motion instructed staff to forward the application to City Council with the conditions proposed in the staff report.

Staff told commissioners the property is north of the intersection of Trout Creek Road and Colorado State Highway 24 and that the Gordon Jackson Foundation transferred the site to Legacy Holding Company on May 17, 2023. The application describes multiple existing communications towers and equipment on the property, and staff said much of that infrastructure likely predates city permitting. The staff report noted the site’s zoning (agricultural) and said landscaping requirements were waived “due to the forested hilltop siting of the proposed development” and the lack of water for new plantings.

Applicant representative Ashley Christensen said the existing tower’s microwave dishes have suffered interference as trees have grown and that the taller tower would restore and secure connectivity. "Due to because the the tower has been there for a very long time, and over the years, the growth of the trees have caused interference with the existing, microwave dishes that are out there," Christensen said. She added the facility supports sheriff, EMS and other agencies and will add cameras and a weather station.

The staff report lists conditions of approval the commission relied on, including: - A signed statement from a qualified radio frequency engineer certifying the proposed facility will not cause interference and complies with FCC RF-emission regulations (staff noted this item had been provided to the city after the packet was published). - Affidavits from the property owner and applicant accepting responsibility to remove abandoned or unused wireless communication facilities (WCFs) and accessory equipment after six months of nonuse. - Expiration of approval if the WCF is not established within one year or if abandoned/unused for six months. - Compliance with all building, safety, and other applicable local, state or federal permits and easements. - A compliance report within 45 days after installation demonstrating adherence to conditions and city requirements. - Construction documents showing chain-link security fencing with anti-climbing devices; staff recommended the fence include such an anti-climbing measure and noted razor or barbed wire is not allowed under the ordinance.

Commissioners asked about alternative visual treatments and camouflage. The applicant said the lattice design and nonreflective galvanized steel color would minimize visual impact and that the new tower sits slightly lower on the ridge than the existing structure. Commissioners also confirmed there will be no navigation lights on the tower; staff and applicant said lighting requirements are governed by FAA/FCC rules and are generally triggered at greater heights or based on proximity to airports.

During discussion, staff reminded the commission that the special use permit standards in municipal code section 18.61 are the minimum and that the commission may deny an application if it finds approval would not be in the city’s best interest. The staff report and applicant materials referenced Woodland Park municipal ordinance 1477 (amending Title 5, enacted July 18, 2024) and municipal code section 5.24.0.07 as the local regulatory framework for wireless facilities.

The formal motion to recommend approval was moved and seconded; the commission then voted aloud: Don Sellum, yes; Ken Hartsfield, yes; Ken Kennedy, yes; Jared Newcomb, yes; Vice Chair Larson, yes; Chair Brown, yes. The chair announced, “Motion carries 6 0.” The item will proceed to City Council (first reading June 19) and a public hearing before council on July 17, per staff note.

Discussion versus decision: commissioners debated camouflage, fencing and the visual profile of a 120-foot lattice tower (discussion). Staff and applicant described required conditions including RF certification, removal affidavits, construction documents with anti-climb devices, and a 45-day post-installation compliance report (direction/conditions). The commission’s vote to recommend approval is a formal action recommending that City Council adopt the special use permit with the listed conditions (decision).

Clarifying details provided in the meeting: the proposed tower height is 120 feet (130 feet to top of appurtenances); the existing tower is 63 feet; property address 5955 Trout Creek Road; zoning: Agricultural; owner transfer date: May 17, 2023; removal/abandonment trigger for WCFs: 6 months; approval expiration if not established within 1 year; post-installation compliance period: 45 days; landscaping waiver reason: forested hilltop and lack of water; security fencing proposed: 7-foot chain-link with anti-climb device; navigation lights: not proposed; FAA/FCC lighting thresholds were referenced but not specified.

What’s next: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for consideration at a first reading June 19 and a public hearing July 17. The commission’s approval is a recommendation; final permit action rests with City Council and requires the applicant to satisfy the listed conditions.