NEW KENT — A new cellphone tower may be built to address coverage issues in the Lanexa area after New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors backed a lease agreement with a communications provider.
The Board of Supervisors recently voted to allow County Administrator Rodney Hathaway to execute a proposed option and lease agreement with The Towers LLC for 10,000 square feet on Old Telegraph Road for a tower. The land was previously a refuse site.
“If they are successful in their due diligence, then we will proceed with the lease agreement,” Hathaway told the board Sept. 29.
Hathaway said The Towers proposed to pay an annual fee of $6,500 to the county, then agreed to increase the yearly rent payment to $12,000.
The rent will increase by 3% annually on every anniversary of the commencement date. Once a second broadband carrier uses the tower, the rent will increase by $75 per month per tenant.
“Staff is in favor of the proposed option and lease agreement because it will address a cellular service coverage issue in the Lanexa area, especially in the populated areas, the campgrounds, and the Colonies neighborhood,” Hathaway said.
Hathaway said The Towers LLC will determine the height of the tower and the number of providers it could house.
He said the details would be ironed out before a conditional use permit is granted for the tower.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
