Planning commission approves 190‑foot Verizon tower with lighting condition

The Nisswa Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment voted Nov. 4 to approve variances and a conditional‑use permit for a 190‑foot monopole communications tower proposed by Verizon at 25636 Main Street.

Commission staff outlined six requested deviations from city standards — including an impervious surface of 47.02% where the public and recreation district limits 15%, a proposed tower height of 190 feet compared with a 150‑foot local maximum, reduced setbacks from residential property lines and structures, and an 8‑foot security fence where the code limits fences to 6 feet for over‑the‑counter permits. Staff said the application included a certified statement that the tower’s reception and transmission functions would not interfere with radio, television or public‑safety telecommunications.

Woody Krog, representing Verizon Wireless, said the company selected the site to maximize downtown coverage and relieve stress on an existing north‑side tower. "With the proposed tower, all of this new green and yellow area is all improved coverage that would be provided by this tower," he said, pointing to the applicant’s propagation maps. Krog also said the design keeps the pole under 200 feet — "190 plus a 9 foot lightning rod keeps us under that 200 ft" — which, according to the applicant’s FAA analysis submitted to staff, avoids automatic FAA lighting requirements.

Krog and city staff addressed common health and safety concerns. The applicant noted that federal agencies set RF safety standards and that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 limits local governments from considering RF health effects during permitting; the Planning Commission packet included the cited federal language.

Commissioners questioned whether the fire department’s current repeater would be moved to the new tower and whether generators or helicopter‑landing lighting could be affected. Verizon said the fire department ultimately decided not to move equipment and that Verizon will provide its own generator. Commissioners asked staff to seek input from North Memorial and LifeLink on whether voluntary lighting should be installed.

When members voted on variance application 030‑25, they approved all six deviations collectively and added a condition that the lighting determination be based on feedback from North Memorial and LifeLink. The commission then approved conditional‑use permit 031‑25 authorizing construction of the monopole, with mitigation including an 8‑foot cedar screening fence and finish details intended to blend with the skyline.

The commission’s approvals include findings and conditions in the staff report; specific vote tallies were not recorded in the public transcript. The next step is permit issuance and execution of a lease and maintenance agreement between the city and Verizon as required by the permit conditions.