The Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission on an unspecified date approved Conditional Use Permit CUP 2025-01 to allow a 150-foot monopole tower on about 91.21 acres at 1602 Loop 322, part of the Taylor County Expo Center. The commission’s approval was conditioned on Federal Aviation Administration approval of the tower height and location and on approval of the proposed site plan.

City planner Cara Velois presented the staff report and said the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan, surrounding uses and zoning, and the criteria for approval in the Land Development Code. Velois told the commission notifications were mailed to property owners within a 200-foot buffer and that the city received no responses in favor or opposition.

Lattie Galloway, the applicant’s agent, said the applicant has filed with the FAA and received a determination allowing a structure to 154 feet with "no hazard" to air traffic and that the tower will increase cellular capacity for large events at the expo center. "We've already filed with the FAA to do a nautical, bridal study. They've already approved us, to a 154 feet with a determination of no hazard to air traffic," Galloway said.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval with the stated conditions and recorded unanimous affirmative votes. The motion carried with the votes recorded as yes by Commissioners Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham (and supporting votes from the mover and seconder recorded during roll call). The approval is contingent on the FAA determination and acceptance of the final site plan.

Because the approval requires FAA sign-off and a final site plan, staff and the applicant will return proposed plan documentation as needed for administrative review and for any required follow-up prior to construction.

The commission’s action is advisory to the City Council when zoning changes are involved, but the conditional use permit itself was decided by the commission under its procedures.