AGENDA DATE: 9/20/2023
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Lease of a Portion of Walnut Creek Park to Verizon Wireless
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Conduct a public hearing for a proposed lease from the County to Verizon Wireless of a portion of Walnut Creek Park
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Herrick, Dimock, Culp
PRESENTER (S): Michael Culp
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is requesting that the County lease ground space to it at Walnut Creek Park for a potential monopole wireless services tower, in the location shown on Attachment A. Virginia Code § 15.2-1800 requires a public hearing prior to the leasing of County-owned property.
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: In order for a monopole wireless services tower to be constructed in this location, the Board would need to approve a lease for the ground space and, separately, approve a special use permit for the tower itself. The sole subject of this public hearing is the proposed leasing of the property.
Staff has negotiated the terms of a proposed land lease (Attachment B) of the tower site on County-owned property. The proposed land lease would have a term of 5-25 years (at the tenant’s option), at a rental rate of $12,000 per year, to be increased by 2% annually. The County would also realize 25% of the rental revenue received by Verizon Wireless on any of its sublease(s) of the premises. As presently drafted, the lease does not restrict the design of the proposed facility. The County would have continued use of portions of the leased premises or ground space immediately adjacent to the leased premises (that did not interfere with Verizon’s ground equipment area) for the County’s emergency services and/or school communications purposes, at no cost to the County.
Concurrent with (but separate from) this item, Community Development staff has been reviewing Verizon Wireless’s special use permit application. If a lease were approved, a separate public hearing for the proposed special use permit would be held. If the special use permit application were not approved, Verizon would have the right to cancel the lease.
BUDGET IMPACT: If the lease were approved, the County would realize a one-time signing bonus of $2,000, followed by a minimum of $12,000 in rental revenue (increasing by 2% annually) for 5-25 years. The County would also realize 25% of the rental revenue received by Verizon Wireless on any of its sublease(s) of the premises. There would be no cost to the County for the tower site construction or ongoing maintenance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment C) authorizing the County Executive to execute a lease of approximately 2,500 square feet of land at Walnut Creek Park, once approved by the County Attorney as to form and substance.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Lease Area Map
B - Proposed Lease Agreement
C - Proposed Resolution