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Planning Commission recommends city council approve 155-foot cell tower at Walmart site
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended City Council approve a preliminary development plan amendment allowing a 155-foot monopole, equipment pad and screening at the Walmart site (200 W. 136th Ave) to improve coverage and capacity; staff cited public safety concerns and required collocation capability.
The Westminster Planning Commission on Dec. 9 voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve a third amended preliminary development plan that would allow a new cell site behind the Walmart at 200 West 136th Avenue.
City staff said the proposal covers a 35-by-65-foot walled equipment area and a 155-foot monopole sited on the south side of the Walmart building. "The cell site is proposed to be installed on the south side of the property behind the existing building," said Jacob Casa, principal planner with the city, who also noted five public notification signs were posted in English and Spanish and mailed notices were sent to property owners within 1,000 feet.
Applicant Jacob Hamilton, representing tower company SBA, said Verizon is the committed initial carrier and that the pole is designed to accommodate additional carriers: "It's structurally designed for up to 4 carriers," he said, explaining the design allows collocation so the city can avoid an exclusive tower. Hamilton showed photo simulations and described landscaping and a masonry screen wall to shield ground equipment.
Staff said improved coverage and capacity are a community priority, noting complaints to police and fire about spotty cellphone service on I-25 where callers sometimes cannot reach 911. "Our police and fire department are citing that people get into accidents on I-25, and then they're not able to call 911 for help," Jacob Casa told commissioners as part of staff’s justification for recommending approval.
Commissioners asked technical questions about structural foundations, collocation, and whether Walmart benefits from the arrangement. Hamilton said the tower will use concrete caissons for foundations, Verizon is ready to build, and Walmart has master lease agreements with large tower companies that streamline installation.
No members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Pegg moved that the commission recommend approval based on compliance with Westminster Municipal Code section 11-5-14; Commissioner Mayo seconded and the motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote. The applicant estimated regulatory review, appeal and permitting could take roughly four to six months before the tower is in service if timelines hold.
The recommendation now goes to City Council for final approval, after which the applicant would pursue building permits and construction.
