Land Use Policy Commission conducts public hearing for proposed cellular tower
Verizon representative Daniel Thurgood attends the SBT LUPC public hearing via online communication portal on March 9.
By JAMES HILL
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Land Use Policy Commission conducted a hearing at the Tribal Business Center March 9 for the community to provide feedback on a new Verizon cellular tower to be placed on the Fort Hall Reservation.
The tower would provide enhanced cellular coverage to surrounding areas for Verizon customers. Verizon representative Daniel Thurgood was present via Zoom who explained the agreement and responded to any questions the community asked.
The proposed tower would be placed just off of the I-15 Southbound lane, past exit 80. Verizon will construct the tower and it will stand 196 feet tall. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes will provide the utilities and power to the tower. Verizon will pay rent with a two percent annual increase, and after 15 years the Tribes would own the tower, and it will allow different cell phone companies to utilize it.
Verizon cellular network tower proposal details shown at the hearing.
The spot where the tower will sit was based on accessibility to the utility lines needed. Verizon representative Thurgood said “Once the site is chosen it would take seven months to construct and have everything up and running.”
At the hearing there were comment forms that Land Use had for residents to fill out supporting or opposing the tower. They will be accepting comments until March 20. Comment forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Land Use Department.
