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Sheridan County approves 195‑foot cell tower permit to expand rural coverage
Summary
The board approved a conditional use permit for a 195‑foot communications tower and equipment shelter aimed at improving coverage in rural parts of Sheridan County. Approval included five conditions recommended by planning staff, and Bridge Tower Corporation said Verizon aims to light the site in 2026–2027 depending on carrier paperwork.
At the Jan. 6 meeting the Sheridan County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional‑use permit (CU25007) for a proposed 195‑foot communications tower and adjacent equipment shelter to be sited on an approximately 51‑acre parcel south‑west of Coral Creek Road. County planner Mark Reed presented the application and summarized Planning & Zoning’s recommendation and five conditions attached to staff approval.
Those conditions, as described in the staff report and read to the board, included: (1) obtain and receive any required building permit (the transcript cites a 'national bill code' in the staff report); (2) secure a county access permit for the access road; (3) require removal of the tower and restoration of the area if the tower is unused for a continuous one‑year period; (4) if aircraft lighting is needed, use a non‑strobe FAA‑approved alternative lighting system during dark hours; and (5) minimize glare for any equipment‑area lighting.
Chad Prehill of Bridge Tower Corporation explained that private tower owners typically provide space to multiple carriers and agencies and said Verizon is slated to bring service to this site. Prehill said the company has most materials ready and that, after this approval, Verizon would start paperwork; construction typically takes about four months from permit issuance and the site could be on the air in 2026 or 2027 depending on carrier timing.
Commissioners discussed the public‑safety and emergency‑communications benefits for rural areas, including coverage for fire and emergency services. With no substantive opposition recorded during the public hearing, a motion to approve CU25007 with the five conditions recommended by Planning & Zoning carried by voice vote.
The county’s approval requires the applicant to satisfy the listed conditions before construction. The transcript does not include a copy of the staff report or the final permit document; county staff will retain and post final permit conditions and any related building permits when issued.
