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Planning Commission approves 199-foot cell tower near Albin with breeding‑season restriction
Summary
The Laramie County Planning Commission unanimously approved a Class B conditional use permit for a 199-foot PBA Junction cell tower near Albin, imposing one condition to avoid construction between March 15 and June 30 to protect sharp‑tailed grouse habitat. The developer said carriers are in talks and federal approvals are still required.
The Laramie County Planning Commission on Dec. 15 approved a Class B conditional use permit for the PBA Junction cell tower, a 199‑foot lattice structure proposed for 2817 State Highway 215 near Albin. The commission adopted staff findings and attached a single condition requiring avoidance of construction and related activities at the site from March 15 through June 30 to address concerns from Wyoming Game and Fish about sharp‑tailed grouse habitat.
County staff told the commission the proposal meets local development standards, noting the tower’s setback equals the tower height (200 feet) and that no marking or lighting will be required at the site. “Staff finds this application in conformance with the plans and policies of Laramie County,” the staff presenter said, adding that a Phase I environmental site assessment, National Environmental Policy Act review and federal (FAA, FCC) approvals remain before construction could proceed.
Sarah Niece, presenting for Rocky Mountain Towers, said the company proposes a 60‑by‑60‑foot fenced compound for the tower and associated equipment and that the 199‑foot height was chosen to avoid FAA lighting requirements. “We’re proposing a new cell tower here near Albin,” Niece said, adding the site is designed to accommodate multiple carriers and will address both coverage and capacity shortfalls for residents, commuters and first responders. She said the nearest existing carrier sites are several miles away and that the proposed site fills a local coverage “hole.”
Wyoming Game and Fish submitted comments noting the site lies in sharp‑tailed grouse range and recommended three mitigation measures: avoid construction March 15–June 30; use the minimum number of guy wires necessary; and incorporate bird‑flight diverters on any guy wires. Commissioners asked staff whether those recommendations were applicable; one commissioner observed the proposed tower design lacks guy wires, making two recommendations less relevant. The motion approved by the commission included only the first Game and Fish recommendation (the seasonal restriction).
Shelly Nees, owner of Rocky Mountain Towers and a mentor to the applicant presenter, spoke in support of the project and said the company is in talks with Verizon and a wireless internet provider about locating equipment on the tower. “We are in talks with Verizon at this time and with their engineer and that is driving the need for this,” Nees said.
A commissioner moved to approve the Class B conditional use permit and adopt staff findings A–C with the single condition to comply with Wyoming Game and Fish recommendation number one; the motion carried unanimously (Commissioner Stottle: yes; Commissioner Watkins: yes; Commissioner Casey: yes; Chairman Coy: yes). The applicant must still complete environmental testing and secure required federal approvals, building permits and any other agency clearances before construction begins.
The commission also postponed a separate Class B conditional use item to the Jan. 22, 2026 meeting to allow the applicant to address reviewer comments and reconfigure the site plan. The session adjourned with holiday greetings from staff and commissioners.
