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Council approves Verizon lease for town water tower with higher rent and signing bonus
Summary
After a public hearing with no speakers, the council approved a five-year amended lease allowing Verizon to retain vertical antenna space and a 700 sq ft ground compound at the town water tower, raising monthly rent to $5,500, adding a $10,000 signing bonus and a 4% annual escalator.
The Purcellville Town Council voted unanimously to approve a five-year amended lease with Cellco Partnership doing business as Verizon Wireless for use of town-owned space on the water tower at 311 N. Maple Avenue.
Planning Manager Boyd Lawrence, who briefed the council at the Jan. 14 public hearing, said staff and legal counsel negotiated the renewal to "amend and restate the original lease agreement dated 10/17/2003." He detailed the key financial terms: rent would increase to $5,500 per month from $5,060, the agreement includes a $10,000 signing bonus, a 4% annual escalator, and $7,000 to cover lease-development costs. Lawrence also told the council the new lease would permit Verizon "approximately 10 feet of vertical space along the perimeter of the water tower" and occupation of "700 square feet of land within the existing ground compound." He said staff recommended approval and that the town received no public comments during the notice period.
After the presentation there were no speakers at the hearing, and council member motioning led to a roll-call approval. The motion authorized the town manager to execute the lease on the town's behalf. Council recorded the motion as passing 7–0.
The council and staff described the amendment as intended to update lease language, ensure continued cellular service for businesses and residents, and realize modestly higher revenue for the town. The new rent and signing bonus will appear in the town's revenue projections once the agreement is executed.
