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Planning commission approves 195-foot Vertical Bridge tower with fall-zone engineering and FAA conditions
Summary
The commission approved a conditional use permit for a 195-foot self-support wireless communications tower east of Minot, with conditions including a licensed engineer's stamped fall-zone letter, FAA airspace approval and ability to accommodate four carriers.
The Minot Planning Commission on Oct. 7 approved a conditional use permit for Vertical Bridge to construct a 195-foot self-support wireless communications tower on a parcel at 2005 Highway 2 Bypass East in the city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction.
City staff said the site is zoned Agricultural and that the project requires waivers of standard setbacks; the Land Development Ordinance allows the commission to set setbacks by approving the site plan. Staff recommended approval with conditions including compliance with FAA and FCC regulations, a North Dakota-licensed engineer's stamped fall-zone letter demonstrating the tower would collapse within the fenced compound, and final FAA airspace approval (the applicant must provide the approved airspace analysis form prior to a building permit).
John Wallace of LCC Telecom Services, site-acquisition agent for Vertical Bridge, said the existing tower on the parcel is an AM radio tower that cannot structurally support new carriers, which is why a separate self-support tower is proposed. Wallace said the new tower will be engineered to collapse within the lease area. "It will collapse like a jackknife," Wallace said, describing the engineered fall profile, and added that the applicant volunteered FAA lighting after concerns from the local Air Force base.
Staff also noted the proposed structure must be designed to accommodate at least four carriers and that any public utilities needed must be constructed at the facility owner's expense. The commission's recommended conditions require the stamped fall-zone letter before a building permit and that the final site plan generally conform to the submitted exhibit.
Commissioner Kibler moved to approve the CUP based on staff findings; Commissioner Doctor seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.
The CUP approval allows the applicant to proceed to building-permit stage after submitting the required engineering documents and FAA approvals; the permit will be void if substantial construction has not taken place within one year of issuance.
