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Kyle council moves ahead on cell‑coverage feasibility after residents cite lack of notice
Summary
Council approved staff’s recommendation to continue feasibility and leasing steps for wireless facilities at two city sites and directed staff to notify nearby residents before permitting moves forward; council emphasized public-safety coverage as a primary goal.
After a series of citizen concerns about notification and visual impacts, the Kyle City Council voted unanimously to proceed with staff’s recommendation to continue feasibility work and ground‑lease discussions for potential wireless transmission facilities at two city‑owned sites.
What residents said: A nearby resident told the council he and neighbors had not been notified about a proposed 150‑foot wireless facility near their homes and asked how the city would inform people who would be directly affected. City staff acknowledged there had not yet been outreach to the private property owners adjacent to the proposed site and committed to contact and permit‑level notification as the project moves forward.
Staff presentation and rationale: City staff and Diamond Communications explained the feasibility effort — intended to address known cellular coverage gaps and improve public‑safety radio reliability — and showed photo simulations of pole‑type transmission facilities beside existing elevated water tanks. Staff said the process includes site feasibility, environmental reviews (NEPA Phase I), permit approvals and, if a site is selected, ground‑lease and permitting steps. Staff also explained a likely revenue model: a one‑time permit/ground‑lease fee (approx. $25,000 per site) and ongoing lease revenue tied to the number of tenants on the tower.
Council direction: Council asked staff to ensure neighbors are notified in advance of permitting steps and to include public‑safety and environmental considerations in feasibility work. The council approved the recommended resolution to continue feasibility and ground‑lease steps by unanimous vote, 7–0.
What’s next: Staff will continue feasibility work, perform the required environmental reviews, reach out to nearby residents and proceed through permitting only after adequate local notification. If and when a provider seeks permits, the city will follow standard public‑notice and permit review processes.
