Conroe council to decide on denied cell tower

**Conroe, TX – May 15, 2024** – A proposal by telecommunications giant Crown Castle to erect a 160-foot “monopine” cellular tower in a residential Conroe neighborhood has struck a significant hurdle, with its ultimate fate now in the hands of the Conroe City Council. The controversial structure, designed to blend in as a towering pine tree, faced a decisive setback on April 11 when the Conroe Planning Commission voted 4-3 to deny the necessary conditional use permit, effectively kicking the final decision to the city’s governing body.

Crown Castle aims to build the colossal structure at 2100 Longmire Road, an R-1 Single Family Residential lot currently owned by Mark and Nancy Slocum. The proposed site is strategically located near both Conroe High School and Anderson Elementary, a proximity that has fueled both the company’s justification and the community’s intense opposition.

Residents in the surrounding area have voiced substantial and organized opposition since receiving initial notices in late February and attending a Crown Castle-hosted information meeting on February 28. Their collective concerns revolve primarily around the tower’s sheer height, its potential negative impact on property values, and its jarring aesthetic within a neighborhood characterized by single-family homes.

“This isn’t about being against progress or better cell service,” stated Lisa Jones, whose property sits directly across from the proposed site. “It’s about the right location. A 160-foot fake pine tree does not belong in the middle of a residential street, looking directly into our homes. It will be an eyesore and a constant reminder of corporate interests overriding neighborhood character.”

Attorney Gunnar Seaquist has been representing the concerned neighbors, emphasizing the community’s unified front against the project. “The Planning Commission’s vote reflects the valid and deeply held concerns of these residents,” Seaquist commented. “The community has offered multiple, viable alternatives in commercially zoned areas that would serve the same purpose without sacrificing the integrity and tranquility of their homes.”

Crown Castle maintains that the tower is crucial for closing a significant “gap” in cellular service coverage, particularly for emergency services in the area and to improve connectivity for the nearby schools. Company representatives have highlighted federal regulations, such as the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which often lean towards expanding telecommunications infrastructure to ensure robust national networks, while limiting a local government’s ability to deny permits based solely on perceived health effects if federal safety standards are met.

“We understand and respect community concerns regarding aesthetics, which is why we’ve proposed a monopine design to integrate as seamlessly as possible,” a Crown Castle spokesperson stated during a previous public forum. “However, the need for reliable service, especially for first responders and educational institutions, is paramount. Our engineering studies indicate this specific location is optimal for achieving the necessary coverage footprint for the identified service gap.”

Following the Planning Commission’s denial, the application was initially slated for a Conroe City Council vote on May 11. However, Crown Castle formally requested a postponement, moving the decision to the May 26 council meeting. This delay grants the company additional time to potentially address community concerns, refine its presentation, or strategize before facing the final vote. It also signals that Crown Castle is not ready to concede the location without a fight.

Residents like Joe Stoeckl and Mary Ann Shinn have reiterated their stance that while they are not inherently against improved cell service, the tower’s specific placement is inappropriate. “We’ve suggested alternative locations, perhaps further down Longmire Road in commercially zoned areas or near the existing utility infrastructure,” said Shinn. “There are better, less intrusive options that don’t directly impact families and property values.” Stoeckl added, “Putting a tower this tall in a residential zone sets a precedent we simply can’t accept.”

The May 26 City Council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Conroe City Hall, is expected to draw a significant crowd of residents, many of whom plan to speak during the public comment portion. The council will weigh the community’s concerns against Crown Castle’s arguments regarding service needs and federal law, in what is anticipated to be a contentious final decision for the future skyline of this Conroe neighborhood.