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SBA requests 130‑ft stealth tower at Arlington Heights High; board approves exceptions, holds height for redesign
Summary
Telecom infrastructure firm SBA asked the Fort Worth Board of Adjustment to approve special exceptions to place a stealth 130‑ft tower at Arlington Heights High. The board approved several design and screening exceptions but did not grant the 130‑ft height and continued that issue to March 18 to allow the company to work with staff.
SBA Communications told the Fort Worth Board of Adjustment on Jan. 21 that a new 130‑foot stealth tower at Arlington Heights High School will resolve signal blockage affecting AT&T and T‑Mobile after the school district constructed a 52‑foot building that interferes with antenna centerlines.
SBA representative Bev Francis said the existing 87‑ft monopole cannot be reconfigured to meet carriers’ required rad centers because of the new school building and existing antenna geometry. "The AT&T blockage due to the 52 foot high tower...we can create a 90 foot centerline," Francis told the board, adding the project also supports FirstNet and public‑safety radio coverage in the area.
Neighbors raised concerns about scale, the tower’s visibility from backyards and the impact on low‑flying medical helicopters and other aircraft. Cinnamon Hall, who lives a block from the site, said, "The height of a 130 versus the 50 max is exceedingly great," and asked the board to consider alternative locations.
City staff and the applicant said FAA clearances (a "determination of no hazard") are required and will be part of the review. Zoning staff also noted the proposed design is not a monopole and therefore requires Board of Adjustment consideration under the stealth‑tower provisions.
After extended discussion, the board voted in separate motions to approve the requested special exceptions allowing the stealth design, the design deviations and the shrub‑screening waiver (special exceptions a, b and c and variance e). The board declined to approve the height variance to permit a 130‑ft tower (variance d) in an initial vote, which failed to receive the nine affirmative votes required for that request. Following a motion to reconsider and discussions with the applicant, the board agreed to continue the height request to the March 18 meeting so the applicant can provide revised materials and work with city staff on alternatives.
What it means: the board’s approval of design and screening exceptions allows SBA and the Fort Worth ISD to continue technical work on a stealth solution; the height question remains unresolved. The applicant told the board that, if granted, the project would replace the existing monopole and remove the older tower once equipment relocations are complete.
This matter will return to the Board of Adjustment March 18 for the outstanding height variance; staff asked the company to submit revised drawings and any FAA documentation in advance.
