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Rothschild approves T‑Mobile backup generator site plan and authorizes staff to negotiate cell‑site leases
Summary
The Village Board approved a partial site plan for a T‑Mobile backup generator at Tower Park, and authorized the administrator to negotiate amended lease terms with T‑Mobile, AT&T and Vertical Bridge; all motions carried unanimously.
The Village of Rothschild on Jan. 13 approved a partial site plan for a T‑Mobile backup generator at the village water-tower site (Tower Park, 527 1st Street) and authorized staff to negotiate related lease amendments and new agreements with three telecom tenants.
Zoning Coordinator Rebekka Borchardt described the proposal by Concordia Wireless on behalf of T‑Mobile to install a 12‑by‑20 foot lease area with a backup gas generator, a concrete pad, and an 8‑foot fence. The application would remove one existing evergreen tree (to be replaced with two Emerald Green arborvitae), and use the existing alleyway right-of-way to bore for a natural gas line. The proposed generator required a 10–20 minute weekly test cycle; vendor-supplied decibel information (61–65 dB at 7 meters) was within the village’s 85 dB property-boundary limit. Mrs. Borchardt recommended approval with conditions requiring Concordia/T‑Mobile to secure access to AT&T’s lease area to replace a 6‑foot fence panel with matching 8‑foot panels and to update landscaping.
The board voted to approve the partial site plan with those conditions, contingent on final agreement terms and pending the approval of required agreements. Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle said the proposed T‑Mobile lease amendment would add $300 per month to the tenant’s current rent of $1,941.41 (to $2,241.41) after the additional generator installation, with a 4% annual escalation. The board authorized VanDeWalle to negotiate a fair agreement with Concordia/T‑Mobile and present it to the board.
VanDeWalle also briefed the board on AT&T’s lease, noting 2024 revenue of $42,224.30 under the current amendment and earlier board discussion of lowering rent to roughly $33,000 with a 4% escalator; he and the village attorney (Shane) advised that seeking higher rent with a 4% escalation is reasonable. The board authorized the administrator to negotiate with AT&T and return a proposed agreement.
Separately, the board discussed a proposed new 50‑year lease with Vertical Bridge for a cell tower; an initial number cited was $1,350 per month with a 2% escalator, but counsel suggested targeting 4% or higher. The board requested the administrator contact other municipalities to review comparable site terms, beacon lighting and sound-bearing practices, and authorized negotiation of the Vertical Bridge agreement. All telecom-related motions were approved 7–0.
The approvals direct staff to complete agreement negotiations and return final contracts and any required site agreements to the board for formal adoption.
