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UCPS staff seek approval to extend Crown Castle lease at Middle School/High School D site to 2050 for higher rent and new tenant prospects
Summary
District staff presented a proposed extension of a Crown Castle cell-tower lease on a future Middle School/High School D site, described current and proposed payments, and answered board members' questions about location, sale implications and site size; no final vote was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Union County Public Schools staff asked the Board of Education to approve an extension of a Crown Castle lease for a cell-tower site on property set aside for the Middle School/High School D project.
The staff presentation said the lease began in February 2011 and that Crown Castle approached the district seeking a longer term to attract an additional wireless tenant. The presenter said Crown Castle requested a 30-year extension but staff negotiated an 18-year extension that would extend the lease through 2050.
District staff reported the current base rent is $1,508 per month, plus 20% of any subtenant rent (which staff said currently totals about $1,205). Under the proposed extension, staff said Crown Castle offered to increase the monthly base rent to $2,000, maintain the 20% share of subtenant rent and pay a $20,000 signing payment.
Board members asked about the tower's position on the Middle School/High School D parcels and whether the tower would be near play areas or elementary schools. Staff said preliminary schematic drawings place the fenced tower area at the northern end of the property, near parking and athletic fields, not adjacent to elementary-school playgrounds. Staff estimated the cell-tower footprint is roughly 0.17 acres and the overall site for the future Middle School/High School D is "around 140 to 150 acres" though staff said they would confirm exact parcel sizes in follow-up materials.
Board members asked whether an easement for the tower would transfer if the district sold the property. Staff said the lease/easement would transfer with the land and that future purchasers would assume the lease and receive rent payments.
Members also asked how the proposed location compares with a previously discussed Rayview site that was adjacent to a children—s playground; staff said the new tower location appears to be several hundred feet from school facilities on the preliminary drawing but said they would verify exact distances and provide measurements later.
No formal vote on the lease extension is recorded in the transcript excerpt. The presenter asked the board for approval that evening, and the presenter answered questions; the transcript ends before any recorded motion or vote on the Crown Castle extension appears.
