Proposal to replace Sprint mount with Verizon antennas on Ragsdale Road tower draws request for fuller review

Planning staff presented a revision to a personal wireless service facility at 1598 Ragsdale Road that would replace an existing Sprint mount and two antennas with a Verizon installation of 12 antennas, additional supporting equipment and new ground cabinets. Staff said the tower’s height and lease footprint are not changing; the application includes an ice-bridge (a protected, ground-level raceway) and a generator.

Staff told commissioners the work could benefit Verizon customers in the area and might provide some service improvement for other carriers that share infrastructure. Commissioners asked whether the item should be removed from the consent agenda and discussed on the regular agenda to allow public education and potential press notice. One commissioner asked staff to identify the other carriers on the tower; staff said they would find that information and bring the item to the regular agenda for additional discussion.

Staff emphasized that the application is an equipment swap on an existing tower rather than construction of a new tower. No formal vote on the revised facility was recorded in the transcript; staff said engineering and standard permitting reviews will continue.