At the Feb. 24 meeting, Katy City Council approved a proposal by T-Mobile and Eco Site II representatives who said the tower is critical to address cellular coverage and call volume as the Katy population continues to grow in the city.
The tower will be located at 5364 Franz Road.
"With the way that the internet is going ... I think it's going to be part of our future," Council Member Janet Corte said.
Council had postponed the approval of the new cell phone tower at the Jan. 13 meeting, urging T-Mobile and Eco Site II representatives to gather more data regarding whether the tower could be smaller and better located to help council members to make the best decision for residents.
Bebb Francis, a representative of Eco Site II, agreed to build a 140-foot tower with a 10-foot antenna rather than the original proposal of a 170-foot tower with a 10-foot antenna.
Francis said the cell coverage of the tower would be compromised with a smaller height, but the negotiation with the city of Katy would keep T-Mobile from having to restart planning and permitting if council rejected the proposal.
Francis added other locations considered for the tower would open gaps in coverage and one location would require cutting down trees.
The council agreed to keep the original proposed location.
