Mesquite commission opens telecom-tower hearing but re-notices after mailing errors

The Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing Aug. 11 on zoning case Z0525-0396, a request by Hemp Hill Seminaries to allow a telecommunications tower in a single-family zoning district, but staff told the commission the item must be re-noticed after some property owners did not receive required notices.

Garrett Lankford of the planning department told commissioners that state law requires 200-foot notices and the city also sends courtesy notices within 400 feet; a Dallas County appraisal-district error meant several owners were not properly notified. Staff recommended the commission open the hearing to hear speakers but take no action and re-notice the item for the Aug. 25 Planning and Zoning meeting.

Neighbors who said their homes back onto the proposed site urged more detail and alternatives. “Our community is literally only about two years old…we bought it because of the greenbelt,” Monica Kajawa said, asking whether trees would be removed and where the tower would be placed. Tim Bartley said residents received little information in the notice and raised questions about health, environmental impacts and alternative locations. Larry Thomas, speaking for First Presbyterian Church (adjacent to the property), asked only for the date so the church can review materials; staff said the case will return on Aug. 25.

The commission acknowledged the notification error and agreed to re-notice and bring the item back; no vote on the zoning request was taken. Staff said a full staff report is linked on the notice and that new mailed notices will be sent to owners within 200 and 400 feet before the next hearing.

What happens next: the planning department will reissue mailed notices and the application will be scheduled for the Aug. 25 Planning and Zoning meeting for further public hearing and potential action.