Farmers Branch council approves permanent SUP to legalize and upgrade cell tower at Keenan Bridge Road

The Farmers Branch City Council voted unanimously May 19 to approve ordinance 3999, granting a permanent Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a cellular tower on a 1.63-acre parcel at 1641 Keenan Bridge Road and allowing equipment upgrades the applicant proposes.

Brian Campbell, a planner in the city’s Planning Division, told the council the structure sits on property used by the Texans Soccer Club and that the SUP request would legalize the tower and permit the removal and replacement of three antennas plus mount modifications. "This is a specific use permit request for a cell tower, including the addition of equipment to said tower," Campbell said during his presentation.

Campbell said the site’s previous SUP had been interim and expired in 2011; he told the council approval would both make the SUP permanent "with the land" and streamline future upgrades by allowing the applicant to go directly to community services, provided the tower does not increase above its current 75-foot height or move from its mapped location.

The planner also said the proposal was consistent with the Farmers Branch 2045 plan’s industrial designation for the surrounding area and noted the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval on April 13. Campbell added that the applicant, Crafton Communications, was not present at the meeting but staff would take follow-up questions as needed.

With no members of the public signed to speak on the item, council members closed the public hearing and voted by show of hands to approve the ordinance. The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the SUP-based upgrades subject to the stated limits and any required permits.

The council took no further action tied to the tower at the meeting; staff said future upgrades would be processed through community services so long as the height and location restrictions remain unchanged.