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Council approves VerticalBridge/Verizon tower at 546 Sweetwater Avenue
Summary
Following a presentation by the applicant and planning staff's recommendation, Kearney City Council approved a conditional‑use permit and ordinance to allow a 155–165‑foot telecommunications tower at 546 Sweetwater Ave; the plan includes an 8‑foot vinyl fence, landscaping and conditions to preserve setbacks and colocation capability.
Kearney City Council approved a conditional‑use permit and accompanying ordinance to allow VerticalBridge to build a telecommunications tower at 546 Sweetwater Avenue with Verizon Wireless as the first carrier.
Terry Dolezal of the Grinnell Group presented the proposal, describing a site plan that keeps the tower outside regulatory setbacks while placing base station equipment behind an 8‑foot vinyl fence and a row of proposed trees for screening. He told the council the tower would be sited to avoid the flood plain and that other carriers could co‑locate beneath Verizon at designated intervals. "VerticalBridge will build the tower. Verizon Wireless will be the first carrier on the tower," Dolezal said.
City planning staff noted the planning commission recommended approval subject to three conditions that reiterated supplemental regulations (tower height, landscaping and ownership information) and provided oversight tools for later modifications. Council members asked about co‑location and long‑term maintenance; staff confirmed any increase in tower height would require reapproval to ensure continued compliance with setback rules.
Council moved to suspend the three‑reading requirement, placed ordinance number 87 88 on final passage and approved the ordinance by roll call. Conditions attached to the permit cover approved height limits, required landscaping and procedures for future collocation or modification.
