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Commission endorses concept to place cellular tower in Lamar Park; staff to continue negotiations
Summary
Commissioners supported a staff-recommended concept for locating a cellular tower in the northwest corner of Lamar Park and asked staff to pursue lease negotiations and site refinements, including moving the tower into a maintenance area to reduce impact on park use.
The commission voted to support a concept for a cellular tower in Lamar Park and directed staff to continue negotiations with the cellular carrier to finalize a site, setbacks and lease terms.
Zach, parks staff, described Lamar Park's existing cellular coverage gap on the community's east side and said Verizon representatives had requested a tower there. After evaluating several sites in the park, staff identified a northwest corner grove of trees as a feasible location; staff said many of the trees are overgrown, have limited habitat value and that clearing and replanting could improve the site's appearance and soil condition.
Staff said the carrier would lease space to other providers and that the city expects a long-term lease (staff referenced typical terms of 20'25 years) with average annual revenue commonly around $40,000 depending on negotiations. Staff also said the proposal seeks to place the tower within the park's maintenance area where it would require variances for setbacks but avoid using an area sometimes used for overflow parking during tournaments.
Commissioners asked about the precise distance from the nearby ball field and were told the proposed location would be roughly 40 yards from the outfield fence and would not interfere with play. One commissioner suggested asking the carrier to consider camouflage options; staff noted that fake-tree designs can appear worse and that any final design would seek to balance aesthetics and functionality.
The commission made a motion to approve the concept and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said it will return with a refined site plan, lease terms and any variance requests.
Why it matters: A cellular tower in Lamar Park is intended to address significant coverage gaps on the city's east side while generating long-term revenue for the Park Improvement Fund. Commissioners stressed minimizing visual and recreational impacts and requested that staff pursue the densest possible siting within the existing maintenance footprint.
