Verizon Wireless plans to build a cell tower at the Simi Valley, Calif., golf course, which is estimated to bring in about $27,600 in annual revenue.
Plans are in the works to build a Verizon Wireless cell tower at Sinaloa Golf Course in Simi Valley, Calif., the Agoura Hills (Calif.)-based Simi Valley Acorn reported.
Robin Walker, senior management analyst for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, said the district’s board of directors approved a lease agreement for the new cell tower on December 4, the Acorn reported.
“The park district has been open to having a cell tower on park property in order to bring in revenue to help fund park programs, and this is the first time Verizon Wireless approached us,” Walker said.
Last week the five-member board unanimously approved the cell tower, which is estimated to bring in about $27,600 in annual revenue. Walker said the board had some concerns that the tower would interfere with golf operations. But after touring the proposed location, he said it doesn’t appear it will be a problem for golfers or residents, the Acorn reported.
Verizon Wireless first approached the park district in fall 2013 to construct the cell tower on the north end of the course near the ninth tee, just south of Sinaloa Lake Dam. In January 2014, the proposal was presented to a park district planning committee, and staff was directed to move forward with an agreement, the Acorn reported.
The land lease approved by the park district, Verizon Wireless and Los Angles SMSA Limited Partnership—which provides cell service for the Los Angeles metropolitan area—is for a maximum of 25 years, with an initial five-year term followed by four five-year renewal terms, the Acorn reported.
“The cell tower is going to bring in about $27,600 a year in rent revenue for the park district and we can use that money for park district programs,” Walker said. “Over the 25-year life of the lease, that will bring in over $1 million for us.”
The park district is anticipating $2,300 per month in rent for the cell tower, with an annual increase of 3 percent, which will yield just over $1 million for the district during the life of the lease, the Acorn reported.
Walker said the cell tower benefits not only the park district but the community as well. “An immediate benefit (for the community) would be improved cell reception for nearby residents, and they would have better access to 4G,” she said.
Verizon Wireless can now begin the development process with the city and eventually bring the proposal to the planning commission, the Acorn reported.
Walker said there are a lot of steps to completing the application, the Acorn reported.
“Verizon is in the process of obtaining approval, and when it goes to the planning commission depends on how the application looks when it’s finished,” she said.
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