Planning commission approves 100-foot cell tower at Songquest Lane despite neighborhood opposition

The Pennington County Planning Commission on Feb. 10 approved a telecommunications facility permit (COTC 24-0001) to allow a 100-foot monopole and equipment shelter at 1349 Songquest Lane, on property owned by Songquest LLC, following staff recommendation and with 10 conditions.

The decision matters because the tower is intended to increase indoor cellular coverage for nearby homes and to support mobile internet use, a point commissioners raised during the hearing. Staff said the tower will be a 100-foot monopole with a four-foot lightning rod and that it will not be located in or near the special flood hazard area on the property.

Planner Megan Tallmadge told commissioners that the applicant provided photo simulations showing the tower above 30-to-40-foot tree canopy and that one written letter of opposition was in the file; she said she had also received phone calls expressing concern about visual impact and the new access road. Tallmadge said the applicant earlier sought a variance to reduce the required setback but the variance was denied and the tower location was adjusted to meet setbacks. Staff recommended approval with 10 conditions.

Several commissioners said written complaints and neighborhood concerns matter to their review and asked whether those materials would be included for later review. Assistant director Jason Tennyson said that public contacts received after the packet are typically printed and provided to commissioners before hearings and that only written submissions (email or mailed letters) can be placed in the official packet. Tallmadge told the commission, “Unless it's a written written either emailed or sent in via mail, I can't include it in the packet.”

Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between aesthetic concerns and service improvements, including the proposal's stated benefit of enhanced indoor coverage for residences that rely on mobile devices for voice and internet. After discussion the commission moved, seconded and voted to approve the permit as recommended by staff.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Pennington County Board of Commissioners; the board is scheduled to consider Planning Commission recommendations from this agenda on Feb. 18, 2025.

Votes at the hearing were taken by voice; the commission approved the permit by voice vote. Specific named vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript.