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Brentwood staff to review cell‑tower rules after carriers warn of coverage loss; ordinance change expected
Summary
City staff briefed the commission on large coverage gaps on the east side of Brentwood and said carriers have warned they will lose mounting space at a Nolensville Water District tower; staff will draft zoning text amendments and work with the planning commission to speed approvals while balancing aesthetics and safety.
City staff told the Brentwood City Commission that private wireless carriers have warned the city it risks losing significant mobile coverage when a water‑district tower that currently carries carrier equipment is replaced with a new structure that will not accommodate third‑party antennas.
That change, combined with long‑standing coverage gaps on the city’s east side, prompted staff to recommend a review and update of the city’s wireless/telecommunications rules in the zoning code. Staff said they will draft text amendments for the planning commission and city commission to consider.
"Our already bad coverage is getting ready to get considerably worse," a city staff member said during the meeting, describing carrier contacts and temporary workarounds the carriers plan while seeking permanent sites.
Why it matters: commissioners and staff said consistent mobile voice and data service is now an expectation for residents and for emergency response; patchwork or temporary solutions are not sufficient for long‑term public safety and data needs.
Key points from staff briefing - Coverage gaps: Staff said the east side of the city contains multiple locations with spotty or no mobile coverage; public‑safety mobile data terminals experience gaps in those areas. - Urgency: Carriers (Verizon and AT&T were specifically mentioned) said they will lose installed equipment on a Nolensville Water District tower when that district replaces the tank with a design that will not host third‑party equipment; staff said the replacement is expected in winter/early spring 2026 and that temporary solutions are not designed for long‑term city coverage. - Regulatory path: Staff said the city’s wireless sections of the zoning code were last substantially revised about 25 years ago and that updating the text will require a planning commission review and then city commission action. Staff warned that federal timelines (the FCC “shot‑clock” for wireless siting decisions) also constrain review timelines if carriers submit site applications. - Technology and siting options: Staff described monopoles, disguised (camouflaged) poles, small‑cell deployments (lower‑height poles near roadways) and other camouflage approaches. They noted that height, elevation and engineered siting determine coverage effectiveness.
Next steps and constraints Staff will draft ordinance text amendments to allow a broader set of site types and camouflage options while preserving aesthetic controls and safety (including breakaway design and setback requirements in rights of way). City staff said they also will continue discussions with the carriers about priority locations; staff advised commissioners that retaining or purchasing small parcels for potential site use could expedite solutions.
The commission asked staff to balance neighbors’ aesthetic concerns (especially near schools) with the public‑safety need for reliable coverage. Staff emphasized the federal and state timelines and the need to move through the planning commission process so that applications are not delayed by protracted review timelines.
Ending Staff will draft proposed changes to the zoning code and present them to the planning commission for review; carriers and the planning commission will be consulted on technical siting, then the proposal will return to the city commission for final action.
