The Barton County Commission last Tuesday unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-17, granting a conditional land use permit for a new 250-foot guyed communications tower to be constructed approximately three miles northwest of Great Bend, slightly southeast of Heizer.
The request, submitted by Nex-Tech Wireless, will allow the construction of a cell tower on a small portion of a tract owned by Farris Haying LLC, located near the intersection of NW 50th Avenue and NW 30th Road. The area associated with the tower, including its access and anchors, will cover about 0.25 acres.
“This is really a good location,” Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said. There are no homes nearby, and it boosts Nex-Tech’s coverage in the area, which includes the Great Bend Expo Complex and Great Bend Airport.
The site is currently zoned Industrial District, where communications towers are permitted as a conditional use. Following a public hearing on Sept. 18 and no opposition from area landowners, the Barton County Planning Commission recommended approval.
The only condition for the final approval, requiring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization, was met prior to the commission’s vote by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), had already been obtained.