Business & Community Affairs Committee, 6/4/26

The City of Norman's Business & Community Affairs Committee met on June 4, 2026, to discuss a proposal from Verizon Wireless to build a 120-foot cell phone tower monopole in Griffin Park. The proposal includes lease payments of $1,000 per month with a 10% increase every five years over a potential 50-year easement, or alternatively, a lump sum payment of $250,000 upfront. The committee discussed the potential benefits of improved cellular coverage, especially for emergency communications, and the possibility of using lease revenues to fund park improvements such as accessible playgrounds and restrooms. Concerns were raised about the appropriateness of placing commercial towers in parkland, maintenance responsibilities, chemical use for groundskeeping, and zoning restrictions. The committee agreed to gather additional information on zoning, emergency siren integration, and maintenance before presenting the matter to the full council for further consideration.