Garland trustees reject US Cellular special permit for proposed tower north of village

The Village of Garland Board of Trustees voted on March 19, 2026, to reject Special Permit CU-2025-02, a US Cellular application for a proposed cellular tower north of the village. The vote, taken at a special meeting following a public hearing, resulted in three trustees voting no and one abstention.

The decision followed a public hearing that began at 6:00 PM at Village Hall. The Board Chair opened the hearing and outlined rules limiting public comments to three minutes and requiring speakers to submit name and address forms before speaking. Andy Bobrytzke, representing SMJ Consulting, presented information from his firm and referenced materials from the Planning Commission public hearing. Richard Bohaty spoke in favor of the project, describing benefits he associated with the proposed tower. Lukas Joe presented the Planning Commission’s recommendation, reporting that the commission’s vote on the application was three nays and two ayes and summarizing concerns raised by neighboring property owners.

Trustee Bryce Standley moved and Trustee Todd Strauss seconded a motion to close the public hearing; that motion carried and the hearing closed at 6:20 PM. The Board reconvened in a special meeting at 6:22 PM, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and noted that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was available during the meeting. Roll call recorded Trustees Todd Strauss, Bryce Standley, Marilyn Patsch and Village Clerk Haley Hackbart as present; Trustee Emmanuel Morales was absent.

During the meeting the Board considered the application "with regard to the best interests and overall welfare of the Village" and the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan. Trustee Todd Strauss moved, and Trustee Bryce Standley seconded, a motion to approve Special Permit CU-2025-02. The roll call vote was recorded as follows: Trustee Todd Strauss — Nay; Trustee Bryce Standley — Nay; Trustee Marilyn Patsch — Nay; Village Clerk Haley Hackbart — Abstained. With three nays and one abstention, the motion to approve the special permit failed.

A motion to adjourn, moved by Trustee Standley and seconded by Trustee Strauss, carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM. The transcript and minutes do not specify next procedural steps for the applicant or whether the application may be revised and resubmitted.