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Council approves 20‑year lease for cell tower in Rocket Park after aesthetics, notice questions
Summary
Council approved a 20‑year land lease with New Cingular Wireless (AT&T) to site a cell tower on park property. Council asked about camouflage/aesthetics, construction outreach for neighbors and standard industry lease terms; staff said camouflage typically adds cost and would be handled via code changes if the council wants to require it going forward.
Bountiful City Council on Dec. 9 approved a 20‑year land lease with New Cingular Wireless (AT&T) to place a communications tower on city park property.
Staff explained the city’s ordinance prefers locating cell towers on public property to minimize impacts on private property and to ensure community benefit; the lease was negotiated as a standard 20‑year term. "This is a 20 year lease," Brad Jepsen told the council during his presentation while explaining carrier economics and negotiation norms.
Council members asked whether the tower could be camouflaged (examples were cited of towers disguised as pine trees) and whether the city could require aesthetic treatments. Staff said camouflage is typically an extra cost and that, because towers are permitted in parks under current code, the city has limited leverage in an individual lease negotiation. Council members asked staff to evaluate whether an update to the city’s cell‑tower ordinance could require or incentivize aesthetic treatments on future agreements.
Nearby property and park neighbors asked about pre‑construction communications and construction timelines. Staff said a permitting and preconstruction process would include outreach and that the city could encourage AT&T and its contractor to communicate directly with nearby residents about schedules and construction activities.
The council motioned and approved the lease agreement by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will proceed through permitting and a preconstruction meeting with the carrier and will report back on options to revise the city cell‑tower ordinance if council wants to pursue aesthetic requirements for future leases.
