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Council approves rezone at 108 West Park Street, residents warn about potential cell tower and property impacts
Summary
Brandon City Council voted 3–2 to rezone 108 West Park Street from Natural Resources Conservation to General Business, a step residents say could enable a cell tower. Residents raised concerns about property values, traffic near Brandon Valley Intermediate School and the timing of future conditional-use review.
The Brandon City Council on second reading approved Ordinance 746 to rezone 108 West Park Street from NRC (Natural Resources Conservation) to General Business, clearing the zoning prerequisite for potential future uses including a cell tower application.
Patrick, speaking on behalf of city staff, told the council the rezone “lays the foundation” but does not itself approve specific construction; any developer would still need a conditional-use permit and Planning & Zoning review, and appeals would return to the council. The ordinance becomes effective Dec. 3; applicants cannot file conditional-use applications until after that effective date.
During public comment, Susan Lucia (1813 South Parkview Boulevard) said she has not experienced reception problems in the south part of town and opposed a tower at the proposed site. “If this tower goes up, we will sell our home,” Lucia said, arguing the structure would reduce property values and create safety and traffic issues near Brandon Valley Intermediate School. She also urged council members and community groups to attend outreach meetings and consider alternatives.
Council members discussed legal limits on zoning decisions. One councilmember noted federal law restricts consideration of certain radio-frequency factors in zoning decisions and said such technical claims would be more appropriate at the conditional-use stage or for federal review. Staff reiterated the procedural path: rezone enacted by ordinance, 20-day referendum period after publication, then conditional-use review at Planning & Zoning if an applicant files.
The council approved the rezone on a 3–2 roll call (Councilmembers Fish, Johnson and Cole voted in favor; Marceau and Steen voted no). Staff said the effective date and the Planning & Zoning timeline will determine when residents can formally challenge any conditional-use application.
Next steps: the ordinance will be published and become effective Dec. 3. If a tower developer applies, the Planning & Zoning process and any appeal rights will be the venue for neighbors’ traffic, safety and siting concerns.
