MARCH 11, 2025|
Photo – Union Wireless logo – Courtesy Union Wireless website
Last week, the governing body of Rawlins narrowly approved a request from Union Wireless to build a new communications tower in the city.
During the city council meeting on March 4th, Mayor Jacquelin Wells opened a public hearing for a Special Use Permit for the communications company. The mayor said that the permit would authorize Union Wireless to construct a new 100-foot-tall cellular tower, fencing, and associated outbuildings in the northeast section of the city.
Councilman Steve Sanger clarified that the proposed tower site will be on city-owned property.
Councilman Derek Elliott told a story about a doctor who feared the potential harm a nearby communications tower may cause. Councilman Elliot asked to see a detailed study on the effects of electromagnetic radiation before voting to approve the Special Use Permit.
Mayor Wells said representatives from Union Wireless would be present later in the meeting to answer the councilman’s questions and then closed the public hearing.
During the New Business portion of the March 4th Rawlins city council meeting, Community Development Director Lou Lascano mentioned that he had heard concerns about the proximity of the tower to the hockey rink across the street from the Rawlins Family Recreation Center. Lascano stated that the tower will be located 100 feet east of the rink, placing the structure out of reach of the rink should it collapse.
Union Wireless Engineer Thomas Labuda was on hand to answer the council’s more technical questions. Councilman Terry Patterson expressed concern about the tower’s proximity to the nearby Rawlins Radio Control Recreation Area.
Mayor Wells asked Labuda if another tower site had been considered.
The engineer said that his company has examined alternative construction sites. However, the proposed location, northeast of the Rawlins Middle School, would allow Union Wireless to transmit signals more efficiently.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked what would happen if something were to fall off the tower. City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the structure is built to minimize the chance of collapse. If something were to happen, Attorney Maberry-Nave said Union Wireless’s insurance will pay for any damage that was caused.
Councilman Derek Elliott returned to his question about the negative health effects of the tower. Union Wireless Engineer Thomas Labuda said the Federal Communications Commission has done numerous studies on the maximum permissible exposure, or MPE, of radio frequency energy. Labuda said according to those studies, the proposed 100-foot tower would have no health impact on anyone standing beneath the structure.
Additionally, Labuda said from an engineering perspective that the perimeter of the tower site will be surrounded by a 6-foot-tall fence, ensuring people keep a safe distance away.
After further questioning, the council voted on the Special Use Permit to allow Union Wireless to construct a new 100-foot-tall telecommunications tower south of the Rawlins Sports Complex. The measure passed with a vote of four to three, with Mayor Wells, along with council members Darril Garner and Derrick Elliot, casting the dissenting votes.
