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Commission approves second stealth cell tower permit for Veterans Memorial Park
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Summary
Boulder City Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 75-foot stealth cell tower at 1650 Buchanan Boulevard (Veterans Memorial Park). Staff noted five written public comments opposing the project; no oral public testimony was offered and the permit includes an FAA evaluation requirement.
The Boulder City Planning Commission on April 15 approved a conditional use permit for a 75-foot ‘‘mono elm’’ telecommunications tower at 1650 Buchanan Boulevard (Veterans Memorial Park), Planning Manager Nikisha Lyon reported.
Lyon told commissioners the site—described in the staff report as roughly 338.36 acres at Veterans Memorial Park—was added to the city’s land management list in 2024 and was later the subject of an RFP awarded to Vertical Bridge to lease land for a cell tower. The applicant seeks to address local cellular coverage gaps and to improve network capacity in Boulder City.
Staff said the site is designated parks and recreation on the master plan and that the proposed tower’s small footprint and stealth design would be compatible with surrounding public and institutional uses. Multiple city departments (building division, public works, utilities, fire) reviewed the request and had no comments. Staff also reported five written public comments expressing opposition to the proposed tower.
Lyon reiterated that the FAA obstruction evaluation and any conditions resulting from FAA review must be submitted and satisfied as a condition for building permit issuance. Commissioners asked for clarification about the lease; staff said the lease is pending completion of the zoning and permit process.
A commissioner moved to approve Resolution No. 1282 (findings and conditions for CU-25-288); Declan Murphy (representing the applicant Vertical Bridge) seconded. The motion passed with all in favor.
The resolution requires FAA review and standard building/public-works/fire code compliance through the city’s permitting process. Written public comments opposing the item were included in the packet and are part of the administrative record; no members of the public spoke at the hearing.
