Staff recommends moving forward with Verizon lease for monopine tower at Wicker Hill; council seeks final specs

Peachtree City — City staff reported on a proposed land-lease agreement with Verizon to place a monopine-style cell tower at the BMX parcel (Wicker Hill) to address a documented coverage gap. The proposal will return to a future council meeting with lease documents and clearer technical drawings.

Staff said Verizon identified the city BMX property for improved coverage and has supplied a draft lease; the agreement would produce base rent and may include a revenue share for colocated tenant equipment. Verizon counsel told council the site would likely support 5G-capable equipment. Staff said they sought to move forward with the current lease draft, and that if Fayette County 9-1-1 later requests colocation the lease could be amended when technical specifications are known.

Council asked for an explicit location diagram and verification that the tower would be at least 500 feet from the nearest residence; staff committed to provide a color site drawing and clearer specs when the lease returns for approval. Council also discussed that federal law limits local consideration of health concerns in tower siting when reviewing private permit applications, though this parcel is city-owned and processed differently.

What’s next: Staff will present a finalized lease, detailed site drawings and proposed specification language for council approval at the next meeting; council requested any proposed specifications that would reserve space for public-safety equipment be included for Verizon review before final action.