The Fulshear Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 3 recommended approval of a special use permit for a 100-foot Vertical Bridge monopole telecommunications tower and took multiple actions on plats and zoning map amendments, the commission said.

The actions followed public comment urging better cellular coverage and staff reports recommending approval of most items. The commission approved a preliminary plat for Arvo Cross Creek West with conditions, denied the Fulshear Central preliminary plat, approved the Fulshear Lakes Recreation Center final plat and a final plat for the Tamarind wastewater treatment plant site, and recommended rezoning separate tracts of about 9.06 acres and 2.1784 acres into the downtown district. The commission also recommended the Vertical Bridge special use permit; the applicant has requested three waivers that will be considered by the city council.

Why it matters: the cell tower request is intended to improve coverage and capacity in parts of Fulshear that, residents say, currently have limited cellular service. The plats and zoning amendments affect pending development near Dixon Road and could enable private recreation and indoor-sports facilities and future extensions of road connections, according to staff.

Public comment and applicant statements
Joel Patterson, a Fulshear resident, told the commission he has lived in Fulshear 15½ years and described gaps in local cell service. “In the 15 and a half years I've lived in Fulshear, if I don't have Wi‑Fi or a booster, of some sort, I am not really able to get any cellular data,” Patterson said, adding that during a recent winter storm he lacked cellular service and had to drive to access Wi‑Fi.

An attorney with Baker Donelson representing the applicant said the tower is being proposed to alleviate a “significant need” for coverage in the city and that Vertical Bridge will construct the tower for Verizon and market space on it to other carriers. The attorney said the company has requested three waivers in its application and that city planning staff had recommended approval of the use. “This proposed tower is what you call a monopole tower… it is generally considered to be [the] least visually intrusive tower,” the attorney said, and added that Vertical Bridge intends to build “as soon as they can.”

What the commission decided
- Specific use permit, Vertical Bridge (telecommunications tower): The commission voted to recommend approval of a special use permit for a 100‑foot monopole telecommunication tower to be located near Water Plant No. 3 in the Cross Creek Bend area. Staff noted the tower meets most ordinance requirements; the requested waivers will be decided by the city council. (Motion carried.)

- Arvo Cross Creek West preliminary plat: The commission approved the preliminary plat subject to engineers’ comments being addressed, changing unspecified reserves from “unrestricted” to “commercial reserves,” and correcting a stormwater easement. (Motion carried.)

- Fulshear Central preliminary plat: The commission voted to deny the Fulshear Central preliminary plat based on outstanding Chapter 28 checklist items and missing notes and certifications. (Motion carried to deny.)

- Fulshear Lakes Recreation Center final plat: The commission recommended approval of the final plat after staff confirmed receipt of the revised final plat and a labeling correction. (Motion carried.)

- Tamarind sections 74 and 75 platted sections: A motion to recommend approval of the Tamarind sections 74 and 75 plats was moved and seconded but the motion failed on the vote.

- Tamarind wastewater treatment plant site No. 1 final plat: The commission recommended approval after staff said the applicant had addressed a missing t‑tie/ladder note. (Motion carried.)

- Zoning map amendment — approximately 9.06‑acre tract (end of Dixon Road): The commission recommended rezoning a roughly 9.06‑acre tract currently in the extraterritorial jurisdiction into the downtown district to allow a proposed indoor/outdoor sports and recreation development; the applicant is petitioning for annexation. Staff noted water and sewer are available nearby and that the developer would dedicate right of way for a Dixon Road extension. (Motion carried.)

- Zoning map amendment — approximately 2.1784‑acre tract (corner of Patterson and Dixon): The commission recommended rezoning a 2.1784‑acre tract from industrial into the downtown district to allow indoor sports uses and to clean up a boundary where a building would have straddled two districts; the applicant may later seek variances for setbacks. (Motion carried.)

Next steps and public hearings
Several items approved or recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission will go to the Fulshear City Council for final consideration. City staff said the city will hold public hearings before the council on Jan. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Fulshear Municipal Complex, 6611 West Cross Creek Bend Lane. The planning and zoning commission hearing was held Jan. 3; copies of applications and plans are on file in the city secretary’s office and questions may be directed to Joshua Brothers at 281‑346‑1796.

The commission adjourned at 9:09 a.m.