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Youngtown council approves Crown Castle agreement for fiber and small-cell streetlight sites; one abstention
Summary
The Youngtown Council approved a license allowing Crown Castle to install roughly 7,000 linear feet of fiber and small-cell equipment on replacement streetlights at two entry points; the vote carried with one abstention and construction is expected to start in about six months.
The Youngtown Common Council voted April 16 to approve a Telecommunications Services License Agreement and Wireless Facilities Right‑of‑Way terms with Crown Castle Fiber, LLC that will allow the company to install about 7,000 linear feet of fiber and attach small‑cell facilities to replacement streetlights at two locations in town.
Stephen Garcia of Crown Castle told the council the company plans two main entry points — near the West Olive Avenue crossing of the Agua Fria River and off West Avenue — and that the fiber will feed small‑cell nodes near Agua Fria Ranch and Cook's Corner. Garcia said construction methods could include boring along soft shoulders, aerial feeds where utility poles exist, or buried conduit, and that Crown Castle expects to begin construction in roughly six months.
Council members discussed traffic and restoration impacts and asked about construction methods. Mayor Michael LeVault asked whether micro‑trenching would be used; Garcia said the company generally follows methods already approved by the Town, with restoration to prior condition after work.
Vice Mayor Chuck Vickers moved approval of the license agreement and Councilmember Mike Francis seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with one abstention by Councilmember Karen Haney Duncan.
Why it matters: the agreement will increase fiber capacity and small‑cell coverage in parts of Youngtown, which Crown Castle said will improve mobile data throughput for residents and businesses served by providers such as Verizon Wireless. The council did not specify a construction start date beyond the company’s estimate and did not vote on specific pole replacement designs, which Crown Castle will deliver for Town approval.
The council also heard that the cost to replace streetlights will be borne by the applicant, and that final pole designs must be approved by the Town. The council did not take further action at the meeting on detailed design or timing; construction and equipment installation will proceed subject to the license terms and Town approvals.
