McKinney commission approves rezoning to allow 155-foot telecom tower; staff had recommended denial

The McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday approved, 6–1, a rezoning request that would allow a 155-foot high-rise telecommunications tower on property west of Trinity Falls Parkway, sending the item to the City Council for final action in August 2025.

Staff planner Stewart Starry recommended denial of the rezoning, saying the proposal increases the maximum allowed tower height by 30 feet and reduces required setbacks from the standard equal-to-height setback down to 24.5 feet from property lines. "The proposed rezoning request does not adequately mitigate for the proposed height increase or setback reduction, nor does it meet the intent of the PD zoning district," Starry said during the hearing.

The applicant's representative, Ralph Weingarten, said the taller tower is needed for both capacity and coverage as the area develops and that Verizon's desired centerline in the area is higher than existing nearby sites. "We're proposing 155 with Verizon center line at 150. And that's a considerable step down from where they want to be to meet their objectives," Weingarten said, adding the project would fill gaps among three existing sites. He also said the applicant submitted an engineer's letter certifying a "zero fall radius" for the monopole and that no opposition had been received in the public-noticing process.

Commissioners debated competing priorities: Starry and staff emphasized compatibility, public-safety setbacks and the purpose of a PD (planned development) to trade flexibility for clear public benefit; other commissioners cited fast growth, the practical constraints of the site and public-safety benefits of improved wireless coverage. Commissioner Russell moved to approve the rezoning over staff recommendation; Commissioner Deidre seconded the motion. The motion passed 6–1 and will go to City Council for final action in August 2025.

The staff report also reminded the commission of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the limitation that a city may not make land-use decisions based on environmental or health effects of radio-frequency emissions. Starry noted that while the applicant proposed additional screening and landscaping, staff did not find those measures sufficient to offset the height and setback deviations.

The application materials show the proposed tower would sit in the southwest corner of the parcel. Commission discussion noted the lot is constrained and that meeting the standard setback (equal to tower height) would likely place the tower in the middle of the lot, which the applicant said would conflict with future development options. The motion to approve did not include specific amendments to setbacks or other conditions beyond the submitted PD; the Planning and Zoning record indicates the item will now be considered by City Council.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve rezoning item 250017Z to PD permitting a 155-foot telecommunications tower with reduced setbacks — mover: Russell; second: Deidre; tally: yes 6, no 1. Outcome: approved by the Commission; forwarded to City Council for final action (scheduled for August 2025).