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Board of Adjustment approves American Tower height increase for T‑Mobile equipment
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved variances that allow an existing wireless tower near the University of South Alabama to be extended from 149 feet to 172 feet to accommodate T‑Mobile antennas, after the applicant and staff discussed coverage maps and a residential-separation standard.
The Mobile City Board of Adjustment on Tuesday approved variances allowing American Tower to raise an existing communications tower near the University of South Alabama.
Michael Bentley, representing American Tower, told the board the request would raise the tower from 149 feet by 23 feet to 172 feet to accommodate T‑Mobile antennas and equipment. He said the current tower hosts Verizon and that the extra height will “improve in‑building and in‑vehicle coverage along Old Shell, Airport, Cody Road, and on the University of South Alabama campus.”
Bentley said the application requires three variances: a height variance, a setback variance and a residential‑separation variance because the city code requires a separation equal to 150% of tower height (about 258 feet). He said Ivy Row student housing is roughly 248 feet from the tower, leaving the project just inside the required separation and triggering the variance request.
Board members asked the applicant to provide propagation maps showing where coverage would change and whether other carriers planned to attach; Bentley said the immediate installation was for T‑Mobile only and that Verizon remains an active tenant. Planning staff confirmed there were no public commenters registered on the item.
A board member moved to approve the application subject to the board’s standard findings of fact; the motion passed by voice vote. The board did not place additional conditions beyond the findings referenced at the meeting.
The tower increase is effective immediately as a board action; applicants or affected parties may pursue any administrative appeals allowed under city rules.
