The Magnolia Planning Commission met Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, to discuss one new item of business. BRT Group, LLC requested permission to construct a new 195 foot tall monopole cell tower on the city owned property, behind the Hampton Inn, next to the Magnolia Water Tower.
Out of the nine commission members, five were present, just enough to meet quorom and for the meeting to continue. The minutes from Aug. 20 were approved with a motion from Julia Nipper and a second by T.G. Connelly. Then, the new item of business was discussed.
Representatives from both BRT and SBA Communications were present to argue their case on the tower. SBA Communications currently owns and operates the only cell tower within Magnolia, which is located next to El Compadre on Highway 79 N. The new tower would be built less than 1,000 feet away from the current one, but will also house the ability to carry up to four service providers. Providers such as Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile, according to the representatives at the meeting, is likely the first candidate to rent out a spot on the new, 195 foot tower.
Both sides argued for reasons as to why BRT should and should not be allowed to construct the new tower, but as discussions simmered down, chairhead Joe Peratt called for a motion to be made regarding the application. Julia Nipper, again, made a motion to approve the request, citing that BRT had completed all of the requirements the planning commision had asked of them in terms of the application itself, even cooperating with requests from the city to relocate the exact building spot to ensure it complied with all FAA and FCC regulations. Mary Iverson gave the motion a second and voting was unanimous in favor of approving the application.
The city council will review the application again at its next meeting to give the project final approval or denial.