Lake County forest board balks at cell tower lease extension request
A request to extend the term of a cell tower lease at Bluebird Meadow Forest Preserve has been rejected by forest preserve officials, but the possibility wasn't ruled out.
And there is a long time for that to happen as the current lease with American Tower Corporation doesn't expire until Dec. 7, 2031. The company wants to lock in its ability to use the tower in the Lake Villa Township location for the long term and has proposed an extension of up to 30 years.
Because of declining revenues, forest district officials last summer agreed to consider allowing cell towers on district properties but haven't taken any action in that regard. Over the years, the district has acquired some tower leases as a result of land purchases.
There is potential in creating a new license agreement for the existing tower, but Executive Director Ty Kovach recommended denying the request because the proposed terms don't adhere to district requirements. In this case, the company is unwilling to consider a revenue-sharing plan that would require an additional annual fee for each carrier added to the tower, and would not accept conditions involving the district's right to end the lease.
"We get cell tower owners or providers coming to us on a pretty regular basis," he told members of the forest board's land preservation and acquisition committee Monday. "We've talked about this as a potential revenue source in the future if they meet our guidelines."
The policy of extending licenses or easements for cell towers is new for the district, according the district's attorney, Matt Norton.
According to the district, tower companies want to lock in long-term leases to attract new tenants because of the time and expense in finding locations, establishing land rights and building new towers. The district by law can't extend an existing lease, but can establish a new license or easement that would go into effect when the current lease expires.
In this case, the request is not in line with existing policy.
"There are two key areas we don't think are consistent or advantageous to the district," Kovach said of the proposed extension.
Committee member Bonnie Thomson Carter agreed the board should stick to its policy.
"They can come back, so we're not really tying their hands," she said.
In general, district officials have been open to seeing what the potential revenue from cell towers might be. There are two other cell towers on district property, both at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda. The cell tower that was on the former Four Winds golf course property has been removed.