Planning commission extends Crown Castle cell-tower permit at 33 E. 600 S for five years

The Smithfield Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to renew Crown Castle LLC’s conditional-use permit for a wireless communications tower at 33 East 600 South, extending the renewal period to five years.

City planner Brian Boudrero told commissioners the site—on the J&K Tippets property—has hosted Verizon equipment and Stonefire Pizza since the tower’s original approval in June 2005. He said the city’s "Use Matrix" allows the facility in the Community Commercial zone only as a conditional use and that staff recommend retaining the initial conditions while extending the permit renewal interval to five years instead of the shorter 1–3 year intervals used in the past.

Under the conditions Boudrero recapped, cables must remain inside the tower, tower height must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals, no signage is allowed on the tower, abandonment for 12 consecutive months triggers permit review, a bond and certificate of occupancy are required, an 8-foot security fence must be maintained, and climbing aids must meet accessibility thresholds. Boudrero said there had been some equipment expansion at the tower base in earlier years but little recent change.

Commissioner Mike Beckstead moved to approve the renewal and extend the renewal period to five years; Commissioner John Meier seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0, with commissioners Beckstead, Henderson, Heywood, Marshall, Meier and Thatcher recorded in the affirmative.

Chairperson Jim Marshall, who noted he was on the commission when the original permit was approved, presided over the unanimous vote. The permit extension keeps the previously imposed site-control and safety conditions in place.

The renewal is administrative; staff will continue to monitor compliance with the listed conditions and with FAA requirements for tower height.