By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Clear Wireless LLC to erect a 125-foot monopole in Trost Park was approved Monday night (Nov. 16) by the Savage City Council.

Clear Wireless provides wireless broadband high-speed Internet and is expanding its network to serve homes and small businesses in the metro area. Coverage of Savage will require six antennas: three will be located on city water towers and two on existing antenna towers. The monopole antenna at Trost will complete the network.

Planning Manager Bryan Tucker said the request was also approved by the Savage Planning Commission and the Savage Parks Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. As well, notices were mailed to residents of the area and a neighborhood meeting was offered. Tucker said no one came to the meeting and city staff has not received any comments or inquiries from residents.

To date, the city and Clear Wireless have not finished negotiations for the antenna leases, so specific revenue amounts have not been determined. All revenue generated from the lease of the antenna at Trost Park goes into the park fund and leases on water towers go into the water utilities fund.