Making sure the FAA and FCC gave their respective consents, Vertical Bridge will be building a new 375-foot cell tower that will extend coverage far across Barton County, KS. As the Great Bend Tribune reports, the Barton County Planning Commission bestowed its unanimous approval for a conditional land-use permit. The permit will allow Vertical Bridge to begin construction at the selected site south of the Barton Hills Golf Course off US 281.
Environmental Manager Judy Goreham assured the commission that FAA and FCC permissions were already in the works since a military airbase is nearby. “It takes a coordinated effort,” she noted. “They have to make sure that the pilots who are running those missions from Fort Riley aren’t interfered with. So when you get those kinds of approvals, that means they’ve done their homework, and they’re not concerned with the location.”
The new cell tower will occupy land owned by the Patricia K. Haberman Trust. Given the height of the tower, lighting will be required, with white lights flashing during the day, and red flashing lights at night.
Although landowners within 100 feet of the structure were notified, the Great Bend Tribune notes that no one showed up to object, or submitted any written complaints about the plan. “Most of us know that communication is generally dropped when you go through that area on [US] 281, so I’m sure they’re as eager to have better cell phone coverage as all of us,” said Goreham.
“Well, I’m excited about it and the better coverage,” agreed District 5 Commissioner Donna Zimmerman. “And it’s exciting to have some more [phone] competition.” The first occupant of the new cell tower will be T-Mobile, with space available for other carriers to come on board.
Reader Interactions