Planning commission approves amendment to PD 942 allowing 200-foot communications tower near Southaven neighborhood

The Dallas City Planning Commission on Aug. 21 approved an amendment to Planned Development (PD) 942 to allow a freestanding 200-foot communications tower and to make cellular equipment a primary permitted use on the site, an 81.85-acre parcel developed for an electrical substation owned by ENCORE.

The amendment was approved after staff recommended approval and after more than an hour of public comment in which residents of the adjacent Southaven neighborhood urged the commission to deny the request or require the tower be sited farther from homes and the neighborhood’s children’s park.

City staff planner Miss Garza described the request in the briefing as an amendment to PD 942 to allow a new radio, television or microwave tower and “a tower antenna for cellular communication towers.” Garza said the PD currently allows 150-foot structures and that the proposal would permit a 200-foot monopole to replace equipment now attached to a water tower.

At the hearing, city attorney Laura Morrison told the commission it must confine its review to land use. “The Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits government subdivisions from taking into account anything about radio frequency waves,” Morrison said, adding that federal rules also mean the commission cannot consider perceived health effects of radio-frequency emissions as part of its decision.

ENCORE’s representative, Jennifer Hiramoto, told the commission the new tower is needed for ENCORE’s internal communications and emergency coordination and said the existing equipment on the water tower (about 130–135 feet high) is not performing adequately. “This equipment is essential for ENCORE operations,” Hiramoto said. The applicant also told commissioners the proposed tower location is the furthest site on the property from the nearest residences once the substation layout and transmission-line corridors are taken into account.

Neighbors strongly disputed the siting and scope. Dozens of speakers said the tower would be too close to homes and to a neighborhood children’s park. Speakers raised concerns about safety, construction traffic, and property values; many asked that the tower be moved to another part of the 81-acre site. Examples of residents’ remarks included: “This tower poses serious safety risk at 200 feet,” said Shweta Gunda, who identified herself as a Southaven resident. Pawan Kumar Biki, who said he represents the neighborhood homeowners association, said case materials had not disclosed details about proposed cellular carriers and that traffic and access impacts had not been specified.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant several technical questions. Staff confirmed the PD currently authorized a 150-foot structure and said the existing microwave equipment is mounted on a water tower; the proposed monopole would be freestanding and taller. Commissioners also were told an FAA review will be required and could require a lower height or further mitigation; staff and the applicant said the FAA review is separate from local land-use approval.

After public comment the commission considered a motion by Commissioner Carpenter to close the public hearing and follow staff’s recommendation to approve the PD amendment, subject to an amended development plan and amended conditions. The motion passed; commissioners did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the public record beyond stating one commissioner opposed and the motion passed.

What happens next: approval by the Planning Commission is part of the local land-use process; the applicant must still satisfy any conditions adopted by the commission and obtain required building permits and federal aviation approvals. Commissioners and staff noted that the FAA and federal rules on RF emissions remain independent regulatory steps that could affect final tower height and equipment siting.

Residents said they intend to pursue further review and to press for additional conditions or for the tower to be relocated within the larger ENCORE site. The commission’s action allows the zoning change requested by the applicant; it does not automatically authorize construction until permits and any federal reviews are complete.

Votes at a glance: The Planning Commission voted to approve the amendment to PD 942 to permit a freestanding 200-foot communications monopole and make cellular equipment a permitted use, subject to an amended development plan and conditions. The motion to close the public hearing and approve the staff recommendation was made by Commissioner Carpenter and seconded by Commissioner Housewright; commissioners recorded that one member opposed and the motion passed.