The Village of Magdalena in rural New Mexico has no zoning restrictions. But, as El Defensor Chieftain reports, that does not mean that all residents are enthusiastic about erecting a 199-foot cell tower. A letter from Vertical Bridge was the first notice that Magdalena was being considered as a host location for a new tower.
Mayor Richard Rumpf said that although the town recently added a new telephone pole, it did not cause much attention. The proposed height of the new tower, however, has him concerned. “The one the telephone company put up is much shorter, and I have not had one person complain about it. Most people didn’t even notice it was there,” he noted. “This tower is going to be almost 200 feet tall, and it would probably require flashing lights.”
Rumpf’s feelings were shared by Trustee Harvan Conrad who stated, “I don’t like this idea that they’re going to put this right in front of the beautiful mountain we have.”
The mayor confirmed that the letter from Vertical Bridge states that it “intends to construct a wireless telecommunications facility consisting of a 199-foot tall self-support tower and associated ground equipment.” The location at Kelly Road and Tenth Street is privately owned, but Vertical Bridge sought to confirm “that no planning, zoning, land use, or building permits … are required by the Village of Magdalena for the proposed Vertical Bridge wireless telecommunications facility.” The eventual occupant of the tower is unknown, reports El Defensor Chieftain.
According to Rumpf, construction of a cell tower could run afoul of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. He conceded that it would improve connectivity in the area, in compliance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, but he encouraged the Board of Trustees to ask Vertical Bridge to choose an alternate location.
Rumpf’s plea moved Trustee Donna Dawson to file a protest letter, a move which was seconded by Trustee Conrad. The Mayor indicated that he would be adding his signature to the letter as well. The measure to draft a protest letter met with the full support of the Board, noted El Defensor Chieftain.
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