Union Wireless seeks tower permit

Green River residents may see a large, metallic structure near the Green River Post Office if a proposal to build a cell phone tower is approved.

Union Wireless seeks to build an 80-foot lattice-style cell tower in a small lot next to Ace Hardware.

The company has applied for a special use permit because the tower exceeds the height allowed for such towers and due to the fact the proposed style is not supported in the city’s regulations.

A planning and zoning hearing regarding the proposal is scheduled for June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Green River City Council will determine if it will allow the construction during the July 6 meeting.

If allowed, permit documents state construction would start in 2022.

Amy Cox, the city’s planning and zoning technician, said cell towers can only be 50 feet tall and be a monopole design in a B-2 zoned business area. Cox said the property the tower would be built on has provided challenges for business development due to the size of the lot.

She said Union Wireless seeks the lattice-style tower because the company wants to allow three carriers to colocate on the tower and allow for a later upgrade in equipment which Cox said could allow for future 5G cellular broadband service.

Cox said she has already received calls from residents regarding the tower, saying property owners within a 200-foot radius of the site were notified of the proposal by mail.

She also said the city is only looking at the issue from stance of if the tower would be built in an acceptable location due to its height. She said safety concerns about potential 5G service are regulated by the FCC.

“The FCC regulates (5G) very thoroughly,” she said.