Howard County staff flags propane tank, generator and fall zone in tower proposal

Howard County staff and the project representative described several technical and safety features of the proposed Harmony Towers site that the board reviewed before approving the permit.

During the staff findings, Howard County staff (Mister Sheilani) told the board the planned installation would include a 500-gallon propane tank and a backup generator and recommended that the local fire department be made aware of those additions "as emergencies are always possible." The applicant said many sites use backup generators and that this generator will be propane rather than diesel; the applicant described typical generator sizes as about 30 kilowatts and said on-site generators are tested monthly.

The applicant and staff also addressed site layout: the plan shows spaces for future collocators (to reduce the need for additional towers), the drawings show required setbacks and screening, and the package included an estimated 50-foot fall zone for structural failures. The applicant said they have filed with the FAA for any lighting determination based on agency review; lighting requirements commonly apply at or above 200 feet.

Staff recommended notifying the county fire department and the board adopted the findings and approved the permit. The transcript does not record a construction schedule or additional permitting milestones.