The Century Town Council voted Monday night to approve Diamond Communications' request for a variance from the 200-foot setback requirement from the lot line of any residence or school in order to construct a cell tower.
This 5G cell tower will have provisions for 3G and 4G, according to the representative who called in and does not present any health effects, a concern expressed by Councilwoman Brenda Spencer.
He said the tower is designed to bend if bad weather threatens, and that it has a fall zone.
Diamond was contracted to build the tower for AT&T, the primary tenant, he said.
Councilman Luis Gomez asked if Diamond was anticipating any other carriers and if the town would benefit if so. The tower is designed to carry four extra carriers and he said they were willing to insert that clause so the town would benefit in the lease.
In a motion that was made by Councilman Gomez and seconded by Councilwoman Spencer, the motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson was not present.
In other business, the council:
-Approved three resolutions that will bring the town more than $40,000 in fees through the Capital Trust Agency on bonds to finance three projects across the state.
-Approved an ordinance to a small scale amendment for the future land use category of a .13-acre to be re-designated from public institutional to low-density residential future land use category for James Smith, Sr. Councilman James Smith refrained from voting.
-Approved the transfer of $51,227.50 of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to pay invoices for the repair and improvement of Century's water infrastructure, as requested by Interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
-Heard an update from Municipal Engineering's Dale Long on the progress of the town's wastewater system improvements Phase II.
