What we know
The Employment Center, or P-EC, is a zoning district for a mix of development types that accommodate commercial, retail and office uses, according to the city of Bastrop.
“We’ve been working over the past year-plus on this,” said James Cowey, Bastrop’s director of development services, during a special Bastrop City Council meeting Aug. 5. “There’s an issue with proper cell communications, mobile communications—not just for day-to-day operations but for emergency situations.”
The details
There are several common forms of wireless transmission facilities, including:
- Attached wireless transmission facility
- Stealth wireless transmission facility
- Monopole
- Self-enclosed monopole
What the experts say
Officials discussed how a new wireless transmission facility, which would be located just south of Hwy. 71 near Lovers Lane, would relieve existing sites from a lot of existing traffic.
“It’s not going to be a really tall site,” said Vincent Huebinger of Vincent Gerard & Associates, the consultant for the landowner, tower owner and AT&T. “We have photo simulations made for it. You can barely see it from Hwy. 71, but it’s going to be adequate for coverage.”
Bastrop City Council’s vote comes after the Planning and Zoning Commission approved an ordinance amendment in a 5-1 vote during a meeting July 1.
What's next?
A second reading of the amended ordinance will be held during the next regular Bastrop City Council meeting Aug. 12.
