Fate panel approves 100‑foot Verizon monopole, adds 30‑foot concrete apron condition

The Fate Planning and Zoning Commission approved a specific‑use permit (SUP24001) to allow a 96‑foot monopole telecommunication tower (100 feet including lightning rod) on a platted, roughly 5.3‑acre lot on North Ben Payne Road.

Ryan Wells, director of Planning and Development Services, told the commission that Fate’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires a specific‑use permit for monopoles in agricultural zones and that the city’s code requires a 3:1 setback from residential zoning and allowance for co‑location of other providers on towers taller than 75 feet. Wells described the proposal as low‑impact after construction — primarily periodic maintenance visits — and said staff is recommending conditions to mitigate visual and access impacts.

Wells listed recommended conditions including a Type 1 site plan, more substantial screening than chain link and barbed wire ("we don't allow chain link with barbed wire"), neutral paint for visible equipment, no lighting unless required by FCC/FAA, decommissioning language if the facility becomes unused, and a notarized certification that the tower will accept co‑location. He also suggested adding a 30‑foot concrete apron at the gravel driveway to reduce tracking onto the public roadway.

Michael Karanja, representing Verizon Wireless and MD7, presented propagation visuals and emphasized emergency‑service benefits. "Frontline is a high speed broadband service, that is designed to most benefit first responders, in the area," he said, and noted the nearest fire department is about 1.8 miles from the site and should fall within the new coverage area.

Commissioners asked about lot size, setbacks and visibility; staff explained the parcel is platted and about 5.3 acres and that spacing and setback requirements constrained tower height to meet a 3:1 setback from residentially zoned properties. After a public hearing with no speakers, a commissioner moved to approve SUP24001 with staff recommendations and specifically added a motion to include a 30‑foot concrete apron; the commission approved the motion.

The permit approval includes the conditions Wells recommended (screening/wall requirement, no lighting unless required, co‑location certification, and decommissioning) plus the added apron requirement. Staff and the applicant said the tower is intended to fill a coverage gap and to be available to other providers to reduce the need for more towers in the future.