By Bob Burns
Mail

The Fountain Hills Town Council is poised to ask staff members to revisit a telecommunications ordinance passed last year. The council asked for a discussion related to a listing of current regulations governing wireless communications services.

Staff have prepared a report for discussion at the Tuesday, Jan. 21, council session. The council could simply direct staff how to proceed, but there is the potential for motions to designate a council member as a point of contact on the issue, and to direct staff to begin the process of finding one or more consultants to assist in reviewing the topic.

The council will be considering an application for a special use permit to replace a cellular transmission tower in a church parking lot at Fountain Hills Boulevard and Ironwood Drive. The request is to replace an existing flagpole with a stealth tower designed as a palm tree, and roughly 10-feel taller than the existing flagpole.

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend denial of the application citing visual impact and failing to demonstrate a critical need for the replacement structure. Staff supports the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation.

The council will be considering an amendment to its contract with Top Leaf Tree Services to enhance the wash maintenance program in town. In October 2024 the council approved a contract with Top Leaf Tree Services not to exceed $210,000 and services to date have reached that total. Staff is asking to increase the agreement to $350,000 per year “to fully address the urgent needs of the maintenance program and ensure public safety.”

This will include the expansion of wash maintenance to include locations that are currently at risk of overgrowth and potential flooding. Wildfire mitigation is also a key concern currently.

The council will be considering an amendment to an agreement with Kimley-Horn for design services related to the Shea Boulevard widening project. This is approximately a $100,000 addition to the original agreement. The widening project is a grant funded program the town needs to complete design work to maintain grant commitments.

The council is being asked to grant an extension on a special use permit for a proposed multi-family development project off Saguaro Boulevard just north of Shea Boulevard. The developer has a plan for 17 residential units on commercially zoned property. This is the fourth six-month extension requested for this project. According to the staff report the developer still has outstanding issues with an encroachment permit from the Fountain Hills Sanitary District as well as documentation verifying abandonment of an easement.

The council will consider a resolution to enter into a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration to develop a comprehensive Streets Safety Action Plan. The grant is $240,000 with the town needing to contribute $60,000 to the project.

The agenda includes a proclamation by Mayor Gerry Friedel designating the week of Jan. 19, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Week in Fountain Hills. There will also be recognition of winners for the Martin Luther King. Jr. Day Youth Poetry Contest.

The Fountain Hills Town Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in council chambers at Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public. The complete agenda and discussion package material is available for public review on the town’s website, fountainhillsaz.gov/agendas.

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