Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 744; An Ordinance Authorizing a Communications Site License with Sun State Towers IV, LLC, Subcontracting with Primary Carrier Verizon Wireless, for a Macro Communications Cell Tower at the Overlook Sports Complex in White Rock, New Mexico
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 744; An Ordinance authorizing a communications site license with Sun State Towers IV, LLC, subcontracting with primary carrier Verizon Wireless, for a macro communications cell tower at the Overlook Sports Complex in White Rock, New Mexico, and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council introduce this Ordinance.
Body
Staff is recommending the County enter into a long term communications site license with Sun State Towers IV, LLC who submitted Case No. Tel-2024-0005 A and presented plans to construct an eighty (80) foot tall monopole with space for three cell phone carriers to install antenna arrays at three different elevations on the pole. The top position is reserved for Verizon Wireless as the primary tenant. The license includes ground space for cabinets and other equipment within a twenty (20) foot by thirty (30) foot block-wall enclosure, and a utility easement to provide fiber and electricity to the cell tower. Sun State Towers presented their proposal to the Planning and zoning Commission March 26, 2025 which approved the requested height variance and recommended against adding any camouflage, reasoning that evergreen camouflage at the Overlook Sports Complex would be more conspicuous than a plain antenna array pole which will blend with the taller nearby ninety-foot lighting arrays at the ball fields.
County owned property may be licensed (or leased) in accordance with NMSA 1978 Section 3-54-1(A). The Ordinance is not subject to referendum. Los Alamos County Code Section 14-31(4) allows license of an interest in easements and real property.
Proposed Public Hearing Schedule: November 4, 2025
Alternatives
Council could choose not to license the cell tower (monopole) in which case cell phone coverage, capacity and quality will likely remain as it currently exists in White Rock.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The parties have negotiated for Sun State Towers to pay $2,000.00 monthly rent, with a 3% annual escalator, with an initial five-year term, renewable five times, for a total of 30 years. Additionally, if a second and third tenant occupies the monopole for additional communication services, the County will receive 25% of the additional tenants rent.
Attachments
A - Ordinance No. 744
B - SST NM14-149 Grand Slam - Communications Site License Agreement
C - Sun State Towers IV Engineered Plans