Commission rezones parcel for Swayney Family Trust despite local opposition tied to proposed 250‑foot telecom tower

Platte County commissioners voted Dec. 1 to rezone an 8.5‑acre parcel owned by the Swayney Family Trust from multifamily residential to rural estates, a change planning staff said conforms to the county’s land use plan but that drew public concern because a separate application for a 250‑foot telecommunications tower on the same parcel is contingent on the rezoning.

Daniel Erickson, planning and zoning director, said the parcel had been zoned multifamily since the 1970s but is not appropriate for multifamily development because it lacks sewer and water infrastructure. Erickson said the planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning by a 6‑in‑favor, 2‑opposed, 1‑abstention vote.

Erickson acknowledged residents had come forward to oppose the proposed tower and explained that state law now severely restricts local governments’ ability to deny cell‑tower siting on certain grounds such as aesthetics or speculative health concerns. He noted the proposed tower would be sited behind existing grain silos and that the applicant plans screening at the base.

A motion to approve the rezoning passed on the county floor with two votes in favor and one abstention; the transcript records the vote as two yes and one abstain. Commissioners debated that failing to rezone could leave the parcel available for multifamily development, which staff said would be more incompatible with the area’s lack of infrastructure.

The rezoning clears the way for the separate special‑use permit process for the telecommunications tower; that permit remains subject to its own review and applicable state and federal constraints.