Sauk Rapids City Council Approves Changes To Cell Phone Tower Ordinance

SAUK RAPIDS - The Sauk Rapids city council has approved an ordinance change that will allow two new cell phone towers.

Back in March the city council put a moratorium on any new towers, until staff could take a look at the issue more closely.

It became an issue when the city learned Verizon Wireless started looking at  putting up two 105-foot towers in residential areas - one the would look like a bell tower at Trinity Lutheran Church on Mayhew Lake Road, and one on 4th Avenue South.

Sauk Rapids Community Development Director Todd Schultz says the changes to the city ordinance will allow new towers, with a Conditional Use Permit. But, they can't be higher than 65 feet and applicants have to prove there isn't a better location.

Verizon has told city leaders they would need to have towers at least 70-75 feet.