Bluffdale council approves Verizon cell tower lease in city park after public hearing

The Bluffdale City Council voted to approve Resolution 2025-11 on Jan. 22 to surplus a portion of Bluffdale City Park for a cellular tower lease with Verizon.

The measure passed following a public hearing that produced no public comment. Council Member Austin moved to approve the resolution; Council Member Wilding seconded the motion. A roll call recorded “yes” votes for Council Member Austin, Council Member Wilding and Council Member Crockett. The motion passed.

Council members and staff described the project as the culmination of several years of work on the lease. City attorney Fred Donaldson and city staff said the site was identified in 2018 and that the city created a “cherry stem” to the leased location so the property could be used without requiring additional parkland replacement related to an earlier park grant.

Bruce, a city staff presenter, said the design was intended to blend with the park’s theme. “We thought it would be appropriate for it to look like a old fashioned water tank in a Western town, which fits with the theme of our old West days out in the park,” Bruce said.

Council members raised safety and operational questions during discussion. One council member asked whether balls from the adjacent basketball court would require residents to climb the fence and asked who would have access to retrieve items inside the fenced area. Staff said they had not raised that concern previously with Verizon and offered to bring the question to Verizon and ask whether the city could be provided keyed access or whether signage and other measures could address the concern.

Council members also asked about equipment placement. A council member noted that the transformer and a utility rack appear outside the fenced wall on the site diagrams and asked why the equipment would not be placed inside the fenced area; staff replied that the city’s engineers had reviewed and approved the plan but did not provide a technical explanation at the meeting.

Staff summarized lease terms: an initial five-year term with four additional five-year renewal options, annual rent to be paid by Verizon, and Verizon’s responsibility for maintenance. The lease and supporting materials were included in the council packet.

Because no members of the public spoke during the public hearing, the council closed the hearing and proceeded to vote. Following the approval, the council recognized student guests and continued the meeting.

Action details: The council formally approved Resolution 2025-11 (surplus of park property for a Verizon cellular tower lease). The motion to approve was made by Council Member Austin and seconded by Council Member Wilding; the roll-call recorded three recorded yes votes and the motion passed. Council directed staff to follow up with Verizon on access, signage and equipment placement questions that arose during discussion.

Ending: The council advanced the lease approval with conditions to follow up on operational and safety questions; staff will return with any clarifying information received from Verizon or engineers as part of lease implementation.