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Commissioners approve Blackmore cell tower permit; allow last-minute switch to monopole
Summary
The Natrona County commissioners approved a conditional use permit for a new 80-foot Union Wireless tower required under the FCC Rip & Replace program and accepted a staff-recommended change from a lattice tower to a monopole at Parcel No. 33781920003000. The permit passed with no public opposition.
The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners voted July 8 to approve CUP26-02, allowing Union Wireless to replace an existing 50-foot tower with a new 80-foot tower at Parcel No. 33781920003000. Development Director Sabrina Kemper told commissioners the existing tower cannot handle the structural load of the proposed equipment upgrades tied to the FCC’s Rip & Replace program and that the new structure is designed to support Union equipment and up to two collocators.
SAC Wireless representative Chris Schlax spoke in favor of the application; no one spoke in opposition. Commissioners debated a staff-recommended modification and formally recorded a last-minute change: the company will construct a monopole tower instead of the originally proposed lattice tower. Commissioner Dave North moved to approve the conditional use permit with staff facts and findings; Commissioner Dallas Laird seconded and the motion carried (vote tally not specified). Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen moved to include the staff recommendation to change to a monopole; North amended and Laird seconded the amendment, which passed.
The permit approval clears the way for Union Wireless to proceed with construction and the county planning office will follow up on permit issuance and compliance steps. The application was presented under the county’s conditional use review procedures; permit issuance and any required permits or inspections are the next administrative steps.
