Commission approves 198-foot Gulfstream tower near Corley Island Road

The commission approved a conditional use permit on April 24 to allow a 198-foot monopole communications tower on a commercial property west of U.S. Highway 27 and south of Armoian Boulevard (CUP25505).

Staff presentation: Deputy Director Kandi Harper described the site as C-2/C-3 commercial on just over 8.6 acres, with wetlands and floodzone AE mapped near the site. Harper noted the parcel lies within the city’s Community Redevelopment Area and that staff received no substantive city-department comments. The staff report included conditions that the permittee must comply with all applicable city, state and federal regulations.

Applicant remarks: Mary Solich, counsel for Gulfstream Towers, was present with a company representative and said the application met city siting standards. Harper confirmed the tower’s fall radius and setbacks avoid wetlands and leave upland area for future commercial development.

Commission action and discussion: Commissioners asked about wetlands and fall radius; staff said the tower is set back roughly 217 feet from the eastern property line and that any wetland impacts would require mitigation through state/regulatory processes and likely render on-site wetland development infeasible. The commission approved the CUP by roll call vote; conditions require compliance with city zoning and building codes and do not exempt the applicant from other governmental regulations or impact fees.

Ending: The permit moves the applicant to the next steps of securing any additional regulatory approvals and applying for building permits as required.