Government
BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
New Braunfels denies rezoning request for cellphone tower a representative for Crown Castle from the law firm Baker Donelson, said Crown Castle sought approval to build a new tower because the city had canceled and terminated its lease on the city hall parking lot site—effective Dec. 31, 2025. “AT&T needs a replacement site in order to
New Braunfels City Council unanimously rejected a rezoning request on first reading to change property at 514 S. Castell Ave., from Light Industrial District to Light Industrial District with a Special Use Permit for the construction of a 135- foot telecommunications tower Jan. 27. How we got here The city’s planning and zoning commission recommended denial of the request, but city staff recommended approval of the request with two specific conditions—one of which was for the pro- posed landscaping to be consistent with the city’s landscaping ordinance. The second condition was related to sidewalks to ensure consistency with the South Castell Visioning Plan, Christopher Looney, director of planning and development services said. Zooming in The applicant is a telecommunications company named Crown Castle. Patton Hahn,
New Braunfels
maintain cellular coverage in this area,” Hahn said. Verizon Wireless—the public carrier for the city and its police department—is also committed to the site and improving its coverage in downtown New Braunfels. If AT&T and Crown cannot find a new site, there will be significant loss in quality coverage and available capacity, Hahn said. What they’re saying Vincent Huebinger of Vincent Gerard & Asso- ciates—Crown’s consultant—said when they first got the site that they notified over 30 or 40 people within 200 feet of the property. However, some property owners—like Mayor Neil
N
Linnartz and resident Frank Witting with Witting Insurance Agency—said that they were not notified. “I own a commercial property [in the proposed area], and I was not contacted,” Linnartz said. Going forward Crown Castle will need to find an alternative site or revise its plans, Looney said.
2025 BRINGS CHANGES TO MEDICARE!
• FREE CONSULTATIONS Get expert advice without any cost or obligation. • PERSONALIZED PLANS We help you choose the best plan that fits your needs. • LOCAL EXPERTISE Over 10 years of experience serving our community. Make Sure You’re On The Right Plan
Aimee McCarty Licensed Insurance Broker
Susan Shimp Licensed Insurance Broker
CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE MEDICARE PLAN REVIEW 210-460-2454 • 2090 N I-35, SUITE 4105 • medicaregalstx.com By appointment only We are independent brokers and represent the vast majority of all plans in Texas, however we do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do represent in your area. We are contracted with 9 different insurance companies. Please contact Medicare.gov or (800) MEDICARE to get information on all your options.
8
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook