Council approves replacement cell tower at Summit County wastewater site after planning committee review

Stowe City Council on Nov. 6 approved site authorization for a replacement 173-foot monopole cell tower on the Summit County wastewater treatment site at 2978 North River Road, following a presentation to the Planning Committee and a council vote to include the item on the evening agenda.

The Planning Committee review showed Crown Castle intends to remove an existing tower and install the replacement within a leased 60-by-60-foot footprint near the property’s north edge. Sean Gallagher, representing Crown Castle, said the company is required to replace the tower because the existing leased structure will be removed and that the proposed location “replicates coverage” while improving service for three carriers: AT&T, DISH and T-Mobile. “There’s an existing tower that will be coming down, and it’s our, Crown Castle’s obligation to find a suitable replacement,” Gallagher said.

Planning staff described the structure as a 173-foot monopole, surrounded by an 8-foot chain-link fence, located about 220 feet from the right-of-way and roughly 200 feet from the nearest residential parcel. Staff classified the use under the city’s supplemental regulations for public utility substations; those rules call for at least 100 feet from a dwelling or adequate screening. The city confirmed the proposed siting meets the 200-foot distance to the nearest residence and provided notice procedures for adjacent property owners.

Council members asked whether towers remain necessary given fiber and small-cell deployments; Gallagher replied that towers continue to provide wide-area coverage while fiber and small cells handle capacity and infill. Councilors also asked about FAA clearances because of proximity to Kent State’s airport; Gallagher said an original 195-foot proposal was reduced to 173 feet to meet FAA requirements.

The Planning Committee voted to add the item to the council agenda. Council later adopted the site-approval resolution (Resolution 2025-214) on the Nov. 6 agenda by roll-call vote.

The project record shows planning staff coordination and a recommendation from the Stowe Planning Commission. The decision authorizes council and city administration to proceed with the site-approval conditions set out in the resolution. If the carrier or tower operator seeks construction permits or other approvals, those will follow the city’s permit review and building-permit processes.