Lufkin council approves first reading for 170-foot communications tower at 2610 South Medford Drive

The Lufkin City Council approved on first reading an ordinance granting a special-use permit to construct a 170-foot communications tower on roughly 3.5 acres at 2610 South Medford Drive.

City staff explained the site is described as Track 86 of the Boyce M survey, Abstract number 0742, and is currently zoned commercial and occupied by a construction equipment sales business (Tejas equipment). The applicant proposes to lease a 40-by-40-foot fenced area at the rear of the property, preserve existing mature trees in the vicinity, and allow colocation of additional carriers on the new tower.

“Staff mailed nine public notices of the meetings to property owners within the 200-foot notification area. We received zero responses,” staff said. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6–1.

Council members discussed aesthetics and federal limits on denial. A council speaker referenced the Federal Telecommunications Act and the Federal Communications Commission’s role, saying municipalities face strict restrictions on denying these permits. As one council member put it, “the Federal Telecommunications Act ... provides a lot of restrictions on municipalities in denying these types of permits,” noting aesthetics alone are generally not substantial evidence to deny such applications.

Alaina Hilton, City Planner, told the council the coverage increase from the tower is expected to be roughly a one-mile radius and confirmed plans for colocation so multiple companies could use the structure.

After discussion, a motion and a second were recorded and the ordinance carried on first reading by voice vote. The item will return to the council for subsequent readings as required by the city’s ordinance process.