During its April 23 meeting, The Woodlands Township board of directors voted 7-0 to award a bid to Diamond Communications for cell tower marketing and management, according to the board agenda.
The gist
Community Impact previously reported that the township issued a request in December for proposals from wireless telecommunications companies for cell towers at 10 potential township-owned sites.
The board’s goals included improving cellular coverage and capacity needs within the community, according to the meeting agenda.
Sorting out the details
William Pham, the township’s chief technology and innovation officer, said the township received six responses to its request for proposal. He said several locations in the township have unreliable capacity for cell coverage, and the proposed sites would help to serve those areas to improve cellular services.
Additional work will be needed to determine precisely where towers could be located at the proposed sites, such as the Rob Fleming or Bear Branch parks, he said.
The proposed towers would be 120-foot monopine towers, which resemble pine trees.
As part of the agreement, a base rent and a share of profits would go to the township, Pham said. Diamond offered $50,000 per tower to the township upon lease and construction, as well as a maximum 55% revenue share to the township, according to discussion at the meeting.
Pham clarified that the cell towers in question are not small cell nodes, which, in contrast, are typically placed on street light poles and are on county property—not subject to township approval.
What they’re saying
Brad Bailey, chair of The Woodlands Township board of directors, said cell coverage across the township is important because most people primarily use their cell phones to communicate.
“It’s a life safety issue, especially when we have hurricanes or freezes and power goes down for extended times, and then the cell tower batteries go out ... it’s a major life safety issue,” Bailey said.
Bailey said he would like to look into natural gas generators for backup power. Pham said backup power sources were up to the carriers, which typically used diesel, but he said natural gas could be considered if it was present.
What’s next?
Pham said that if the board approves a cell tower location within one of the proposed parks, a site plan will be developed, a public notice will be sent to affected neighbors, followed by a public hearing and a board decision.
