Council asks applicant to seek alternate sites after mixed feedback on cell tower near park ridge

Washington City's economic development director, Rusty Hughes, and a prospective carrier outlined a cell tower proposal intended to improve cellular coverage in a hilltop neighborhood. The company presented three design options — a stealth monument (tall sign), a standard monopole and a faux tree — and proposed up to an 85‑foot structure to allow collocation by multiple carriers.

Several council members and nearby residents said they were reluctant to site a tower on a ridge line adjacent to a public park. One council member said, "I don't want it right there," and urged staff to explore alternate city‑owned sites or private properties that are less visually sensitive. Staff said the water tank site staff previously considered was physically constrained by buried infrastructure and overhead transmission lines and therefore was not suitable; public works confirmed the proposed pad and access are technically feasible but would require blasting and grading to prepare a three‑tank pad into the hillside.

Council feedback: members agreed that the city wants improved coverage but that aesthetics and park preservation matter. The mayor asked staff to identify a narrower set of acceptable footprints in the park area (preferably stealth treatments with city branding), to solicit HOA/neighborhood feedback before the conditional‑use public hearing and to pursue alternative sites. Some council members said they would prefer a different site even if it meant lower initial lease revenue or a smaller tower height.

Next steps: Staff will re‑examine alternate locations on city parcels (including a west‑side upper parking flank suggested by council), work with the applicant to revise the lease language (shorter renewals and limits on ownership of park land), and proceed to a conditional use permit process with public hearings if a preferred location is identified.