Lynchburg approves lease for cell tower at 3525 John Capron Road; proceeds to school capital fund

City Council on Monday approved a resolution authorizing a lease to place a cellular communications tower at 3525 John Capron Road, with proceeds directed to Lynchburg City Schools' capital fund.

The resolution, recommended unanimously by the Physical Development Committee, authorizes the city to lease space for a tower marketed by Milestone; staff noted the company name in the motion language differs from the party named in the lease document. "The language of the motion says Milestone Towers LLC. The lease itself is with a different organization called Milestone Tower limited partnership 4," Council member Marty (clarification offered during the meeting).

The move follows an existing master marketing agreement with Milestone that staff said dates to February 2013 and covers three city-located towers. Kano Hart, Director of Public Works, told council the city already has towers at Perrymont Park, Fire Station No. 7 on Lakeside Drive, and on Old Wards Road near Sheffield Elementary School. Hart said the proposed site at 3525 John Capron Road is zoned I-3 (heavy industrial) and would be accessed from Bradley Drive. "Rent and access fees, we would, gain about 40% of the monthly gross rental revenue and $25,000 site fee for the first tower and first carrier and $5,000 for each carrier after that," Hart said.

Hart said economic development staff contacted nearby businesses and that no formal comments were received. Council members asked and staff confirmed lease proceeds specified in the resolution will be paid to Lynchburg City Schools' capital fund.

Council member Timmer, chair of the Physical Development Committee, moved the item forward; the council vote carried 7-0. The motion language and the lease's named parties were noted on the record for clarification before the vote.

The resolution approved the lease form as presented; the council did not discuss specific engineering or construction timelines during the meeting. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public hearing.

The council's record will reflect the approved lease and the clarified name discrepancy between the motion and the lease document.