AGENDA DATE: 7/19/2023
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Lease of a Portion of Walnut Creek Park to Verizon Wireless
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorization to schedule a public hearing for a proposed lease to Verizon Wireless of a portion of Walnut Creek Park
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Rosenberg, Herrick, Culp
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Verizon Wireless, through GDN Holdings, is requesting that the County lease ground space to Verizon Wireless for a possible monopole wireless services tower at Walnut Creek Park, in the location shown on Attachment A. Because the County owns that property, Virginia Code § 15.2-1800 requires an advertised public hearing prior to the approval of a proposed lease.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: Concurrent with (but separate from) Community Development’s review of Verizon Wireless’s special use permit application, staff has negotiated the terms of a proposed land lease (Attachment B) of the tower site on County-owned property. It would provide for the lease of the proposed site for 5-25 years (at the tenant’s option) at a rental rate of $12,000 per year. As presently drafted, the lease does not limit the height of a proposed facility, but simply leases the underlying land. The current item is limited to the proposed lease of County property. If the lease were approved, a proposed facility would still require separate land use approval(s). If the special use permit application were not approved, Verizon would have the right to cancel the lease.
BUDGET IMPACT: If the special use permit and lease were approved, the County would realize a one-time signing bonus of $2,000, followed by $12,000 in rental revenue for 5-25 years.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the scheduling of a public hearing on a proposed land lease to Verizon Wireless of a portion of Walnut Creek Park.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A - Lease Area Map
Att. B - Proposed Lease Agreement