Planning commission recommends 80‑ft Union Wireless tower with easement and removal conditions

The Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous voice vote recommended that the Board of County Commissioners consider a conditional use permit for an 80‑foot telecommunications tower proposed by Union Wireless.

Planning Director Sabrina Kemper told the commission that staff found the application complete and in compliance with county standards but recommended approval with the condition that access easements be in place prior to construction and submittal to the county commissioners. The application site is adjacent to an existing 50‑foot tower; staff said Union Wireless seeks to replace aging tower infrastructure that cannot safely carry the planned equipment.

Chris Schlax of SACE Wireless, representing Union Wireless, said the project is part of a federal “rip‑and‑replace” program to remove certain equipment the federal government has identified as a national security risk and to install replacement gear. Schlax said the new equipment would exceed the structural capacity of the existing tower and “the new tower would provide better coverage, replace the existing equipment that needs to be replaced per the FCC and . . . provide needed connections to other towers in the Casper area.” He also told the commission Union Wireless would be willing to remove the old 50‑foot tower “within one year of the new tower being up and operational.”

A nearby property owner, Joe Nicholas, urged the commission to require more technical justification for the 80‑foot height before approval, asking to see comparative coverage studies at 50, 60 and 70 feet and saying he preferred a monopole for aesthetic reasons. Schlax and Union site specialist Cody Quintell responded that coverage plots in the packet show the 80‑foot tower extends higher‑quality service into populated areas and that the proposed lattice tower was selected to meet height, structural and collocation needs.

Commissioners discussed viewshed concerns and the tradeoffs between service improvements and aesthetics. Commissioner Kevin Kristofferson moved the recommendation with two added conditions: recorded easements in place prior to the start of construction/forwarding to the BOCC, and removal of the existing 50‑foot tower within one year after the new tower is operational. The motion passed unanimously; the commission noted the item will go to the Board of County Commissioners on July 8th.

The commission’s recommendation does not approve construction; it forwards the application with staff findings and the added conditions for the county commissioners to consider.