HomeMy WebLinkAbout25479 T Mobile Wireless SP Staff Report FINAL Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 1 of 14
Application No. 25479 Type Site Plan
Project Name T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Summary A proposed site plan for a new wireless collocation project on an existing tower near the
intersection of E Tamarack Street and N Rouse Avenue. The existing tower is located at the
Gallatin County Fairgrounds and will be converted to a new cellular wireless tower, consisting
of 6 new antennas and ancillary equipment with a 10-foot by 18-foot equipment pad on the
ground within an existing fenced compound. No change to the existing size, height, footprint,
or use of the facility is proposed as part of this project. Vehicle access to the site will be
provided from E Tamarack along the southern property line.
Zoning PLI Growth Policy Public Institutions Parcel Size 64.7 Acres
Overlay District(s) None
Street Address 219 E Tamarack Street; parcel is located in the southeast corner near the intersection of E Tamarack
Street and N Rouse Avenue
Legal Description Part of Blocks 3 & 4 & All Blocks 5-13 & 16-27 Plus Vacant Streets & Alleys less Tract A of Imes
Addition Subdivision, Plat C-41-D, in Section 6, Township 2 South, Range 6 East, located in
P.M.M., City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana.
Owner Gallatin County 911, 1705 Vaquero Parkway, Bozeman, MT 59718
Applicant T-Mobile, 655 N Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91023
Representative Same as applicant
Staff Planner Bailey Minnich Engineer Mikaela Schultz
Noticing Public Comment Period Site Posted Adjacent Owners
Mailed
Newspaper Legal Ad
11/3/2025 – 11/25/2025
10/31/2025 10/31/2025 N/A
Advisory Boards Board Date Recommendation
Development Review
Committee
10/29/2025 The application is adequate, conforms to
standards, and is sufficient for approval with
conditions and code provisions.
Recommendation The application is adequate, conforms to standards, and is sufficient for approval with conditions and
code provisions as noted below.
Decision Authority Director of Community Development 12/5/2025
Full application located online in the City’s Laserfiche Repository for Application 25479
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 2 of 14
FINDINGS OF FACT AND APPEAL PROVISIONS CERTIFICATE
A) PURSUANT to Chapter 38, Article 2, Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC), and other applicable sections of Ch 38, BMC, public
notice was given, opportunity to submit comments was provided to affected parties, and a review of the Site Plan described in
this report was conducted. The applicant proposed to the City a Site Plan (SP) for a new wireless collocation project on an
existing tower near the intersection of E Tamarack Street and N Rouse Avenue. The existing tower is located at the Gallatin
County Fairgrounds and will be converted to a new cellular wireless tower, consisting of 6 new antennas and ancillary
equipment with a 10-foot by 18-foot equipment pad on the ground within an existing fenced compound. No change to the
existing size, height, footprint, or use of the facility is proposed as part of this project. Vehicle access to the site will be provided
from E Tamarack along the southern property line. The purposes of the Site Plan review were to consider all relevant evidence
relating to public health, safety, welfare, and the other purposes of Ch. 38, BMC; to evaluate the proposal against the criteria
of Sec. 38.230.100 BMC, and the standards of Ch. 38, BMC; and to determine whether the application should be approved,
conditionally approved, or denied.
B) It appeared to the Director that all parties and the public wishing to examine the proposed Site Plan and offer comment were
provided the opportunity to do so. After receiving the recommendation of the relevant advisory bodies established by Ch. 38,
Art. 210, BMC, and considering all matters of record presented with the application and during the public comment period
defined by Ch. 38, BMC, the Director has found that the proposed Site Plan would comply with the requirements of the BMC if
certain conditions were imposed. Therefore, being fully advised of all matters having come before them regarding this
application, the Director makes the following decision.
C) The Site Plan has been found to meet the criteria of Ch. 38, BMC, and is therefore approved, subject to the conditions listed
in this report and the correction of any elements not in conformance with the standards of the Title. The evidence contained in
the submittal materials, advisory body review, public testimony, and this report justifies the conditions imposed on this
development to ensure that the Site Plan complies with all applicable regulations and all applicable criteria of Ch. 38, BMC. On
this __5th__ day of _December_ 2025, Erin George, Director of Community Development or her designee, approved with
conditions this Site Plan for and on behalf of the City of Bozeman as authorized by Sec. 38.200.010, BMC.
D) This Director of Community Development’s project decision may be appealed by filing a documented appeal with and paying
an appeal fee to the Clerk of the Commission for the City of Bozeman within 10 working days after the date of the final decision
as evidenced by the Director’s signature, following the procedures of Sec. 38.250.030, BMC.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR DESIGNEE
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 3 of 14
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Please note that these conditions are in addition to any required code provisions identified in this report. Additional conditions
of approval and code corrections may be identified during staff review and will be included with the final report provided to the
Director of Community Development.
1. The applicant is advised that unmet code provisions, or code provisions that are not specifically listed as conditions
of approval, does not, in any way, create a waiver or other relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman
Municipal Code or state law.
CODE PROVISIONS
1. BMC 38.370.040.B.6.a, Standards, Large scale wireless facilities – If collocation is feasible, the owner of the large
scale wireless facility must certify in writing, prior to final site plan approval, that the owner will accept for collocation
any FCC-licensed or licensing exempt wireless communication provider using compatible technology at reasonable
and customary rates and terms up to the structural capacity to accommodate additionall antennas. Collocation may
be denied based on verifiable and substantial expectations of interference from additional users. Later failure to
comply with the requirements supporting collocation may result in the revocation of city approvals or other penalties
stipulated by the municipal code as the requirements of the title will have been violated.
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 4 of 14
Figure 1: Current Zoning Map
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
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Figure 2: Overall Site Plan
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T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
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Figure 3: Enlarged Site Plan
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T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
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Figure 4: Tower Elevations
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 8 of 14
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Analysis and resulting recommendations based on the entirety of the application materials, municipal codes, standards,
plans, public comment, and all other materials available during the review period. Collectively, this information is the record
of the review. The analysis in this report is a summary of the completed review.
Plan Review, Section 38.230.100, BMC
In considering applications for plan approval under this title, the Director of Community Development shall consider the
following:
1. Conformance with Article 1 - Consistency with the City’s adopted Growth
Policy 38.100.040.D
Meets Code?
Growth Policy
Land Use
Public Institutions Yes
Zoning PLI, Public Lands and Institutions District Yes
Comments: The Bozeman Community Plan 2020, on page 73, discusses how zoning regulations are made
in accordance with a growth policy. “The City must balance many issues in approving urban development.
Therefore, it is not unusual if there is some tension between competing priorities, even if there is no explicit
contradiction in policy.” The adopted regulations in Chapter 38, the Uniform Development Code (UDC), are
the result of the Commission considering and balancing a wide range of issues and the regulations provide
an overall compliance basis of evaluation of the specific development application to the aims and aspirations
of the growth policy. This balancing in crafting regulations means that individual goals or objectives are not
maximized to the exclusion of other priorities, and evaluation occurs against the whole of the growth policy.
Applications consistent with the adopted regulations are in accordance with the overall growth policy. PLI is
an implementing district of the 2020 Community Plan designation of Public Institutions.
Growth Policy – Public Institutions: The land in this classification is owned by a public entity. A variety of
activities are undertaken in this land use classification. Schools are a dominant use including Montana State
University. Other typical uses are libraries, fire stations, and publicly operated utilities. A significant portion of
Bozeman’s employment occurs within this category.
Staff Comment: The use of a large-scale wireless facility as denoted within the site plan submittal is allowed
within the PLI zoning district, and the project conforms to the requirements of the PLI zoning district. The
property is within the City’s municipal service area and complies with the goals and objectives of the growth
policy. No conflicts between the proposed use, zoning compliance, and the growth policy are identified.
2. Conformance with Article 1 - All other applicable laws, ordinances, and
regulations (38.100.080)
Condominium ownership N/A
Comments: There is no proposed condominium ownership association for this site plan. The proposed use
of the site is consistent with the allowed uses in the PLI zoning district. No specific conflicts were identified.
Additional steps will be required, including reviewing final site plan approval and building permits. The
Building Division of the Department of Community Development will review the requirements of the
International Building Code for compliance at the time of building permit application.
3. Conformance with Article 2, including the cessation of any current violations
(38.200.160)
Meets Code?
Current
Violations
N/A N/A
Comments: No violations currently exist on-site.
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 9 of 14
4. Conformance with Article 2 - Submittal material (38.220) requirements and
plan review for applicable permit types (38.230)
Meets Code?
Site Plan Yes
Submittal requirements 38.220.100 Yes
Phasing of development
38.230.020.B
No. of phases: 1 Yes
Comments: The project is to be completed in one phase. Site plan submittal requirements have been
met.
Any additional use permit (Conditional Use Permit) 38.230.120 or (Special Use
Permit) 38.230.120
N/A
Comments: No conditional or special uses are proposed.
5. Conformance with Article 3 - Zoning Provisions (38.300) Meets Code?
Permitted uses 38.370.030 Large-scale wireless facility Yes
Form and intensity standards 38.320.050 & 38.370.040
Zoning: PLI Setbacks (feet) Structures Yes
Front –
Tamarack
Street
Other Block
Frontage 10-feet
Rear 0-feet
Side 0-feet
Comments: Wireless telecommunication towers are permitted within city limits based on the applicable
zoning district and scope of the proposed facility. BMC 38.370.030.B.1 states large-scale wireless
facilities are permitted within the PLI zoning district. A large-scale facility is defined as a wireless facility
25-feet or greater in height from the base to the highest point including attachments. The proposed
facility is an existing tower approximately 120-feet in height, which will be reduced down to 105-feet in
height with the proposed site plan by removing the existing pipe-mounted tapered mast. Specific form
and intensity standards are included within BMC 38.370 for wireless facilities, although all installations
must maintain the minimum zoning district setbacks, including special setbacks for applicable block
frontages. Note 12 under table 38.320.050 states in the PLI district, there are no setback requirements
except when a lot is adjacent to another district. The setbacks then must be the same as those in the
adjacent district. As this site is surrounded by the PLI zoning district, there are no side or rear setbacks
for the proposed development. The front setback is determined by the applicable block frontage which is
designated as Other. The existing tower complies with the 10-foot minimum building setback along E
Tamarack Street. BMC 38.370.040.B.6.e includes special setbacks for large-scale wireless facilities;
however, the existing tower is considered a non-conforming structure in relation to the required setbacks
per BMC 38.280.040. No changes are proposed to the existing tower which would increase the existing
non-conformity.
Lot coverage N/A Allowed N/A Yes
Building height 105-feet Allowed N/A Yes
Comments: Lot coverage and building height form and intensity standards are not applicable within the PLI
zoning district.
Applicable zone specific or overlay standards 38.330-40 N/A
Comments: The project is not within an overlay district or a zoning district with specific standards
General land use standards and requirements 38.350 N/A
Comments: No outdoor storage areas or fencing are proposed.
Applicable supplemental use criteria 38.360 N/A
Supplemental
uses/type
N/A
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 10 of 14
Comments: There is no applicable supplemental use criteria for the proposed use.
Wireless facilities 38.370 Yes
Comments: The proposed site plan application is for a new wireless collocation project on an existing
tower on the subject property. Large-scale facilities are a permitted use within the PLI zoning per BMC
38.370.030.B.1. BMC 38.370.040.B.6 includes additional standards applicable to large-scale facilities
such as special setbacks, potential locations, and overall height limitations. As the wireless project is
located on an existing tower, it is considered a non-conforming structure per BMC 38.280.040. No
changes are proposed to the existing tower which would increase the existing non-conformity. Code
provision #1 requires the owner of the large-scale wireless facility must certify in writing, prior to final site
plan approval, that the owner will accept collocation of any FCC-licensed or licensing exempt wireless
communication on the tower if feasible for additional antennas. With the included conditions of approval
and code provisions, the submitted application for the proposed wireless tower is compliant with the
required standards of BMC 38.370.
Affordable Housing 38.380.010 N/A
Affordable housing plan N/A
Comments: No housing is proposed.
6a. Conformance with Article 4 - Community Design Provisions: Transportation
Facilities and Access (38.400)
Meets Code?
Streets 38.400.010 N/A
Street and road dedication 38.400.020 N/A
Access easements N/A
Level of Service
38.400.060
N/A Transportation grid adequate to serve
the site
N/A
Comments: As shown in Figure 2 above, the site is accessed from an existing approach off E Tamarck
Street. No changes to the existing access onto E Tamarack are proposed with this application.
Sidewalks 38.400.080 N/A
Drive access 38.400.090 N/A N/A
Fire lanes, curbs, signage and striping N/A
Comments: These provisions are not applicable to this site plan application.
Street vision triangle 38.400.100 N/A
Transportation pathways 38.400.110 N/A
Pedestrian access easements for shared use pathways and similar transportation
facilities
N/A
Public transportation 38.400.120 N/A
Comments: These provisions are not applicable to this site plan application.
6b. Conformance with Article 4 – Community Design Provisions: Community
Design and Elements (38.410)
Meets Code?
Neighborhood centers 38.410.020 N/A
Comments: This project does not trigger neighborhood center requirements.
Lot and block standards 38.410.030-040 N/A
Midblock crossing: rights of way for pedestrians alternative block delineation N/A
Comments: This project does not trigger lot and block standards.
If the development is adjacent to an existing or approved public park or public open
space area, have provisions been made in the plan to avoid interfering with public
access to and use of that area
N/A
Provisions for utilities including efficient public services and utilities 38.410.050-060 N/A
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 11 of 14
Easements (City and public utility rights-of-way etc.) Yes
Water, sewer, and stormwater N/A
Other utilities (electric, natural gas, communications) Yes
CIL of water N/A
Comments: The existing tower is located at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds and will not interfere with the
overall use of the area. An existing access is provided through the site connecting to E Tamarack Street.
No additional utility easements are required for the conversion of the existing tower or the new equipment
pad. Proposed utilities, easements, water, sewer, and stormwater were reviewed by the Engineering
Department for functionality and compliance with adopted standards.
Municipal infrastructure requirements 38.410.070 N/A
Comments: Requirements for municipal infrastructure have been reviewed by the Engineering
Department for functionality and compliance with adopted standards.
Grading & drainage 38.410.080 Yes
Location, design, and capacity of stormwater facilities N/A
Stormwater maintenance plan N/A
Landscaping: Native species, curvilinear, 75% live vegetation 38.410.080.H N/A
Comments: Requirements of BMC 38.410 such as grading and drainage and stormwater provisions have
been reviewed by the Engineering Department and will conform to City standards.
Watercourse setback 38.410.100 N/A
Watercourse setback planting plan 38.410.100.2.f N/A
Comment: Watercourse setbacks and an associated planting plan are not applicable
to this proposed development.
6c. Conformance with Article 4 – Community Design Provisions: Park and
Recreation Requirements (38.420)
Meets Code?
Parkland requirements 38.420.020.A N/A N/A
Cash donation in lieu (CIL) 38.420.030 N/A
Improvements in-lieu N/A
Comments:
Park Frontage 38.420.060 N/A
Park development 38.420.080 N/A
Recreation pathways 38.420.110 N/A
Park/Recreational area design N/A
Comments: No parks or required parkland are proposed or required with this wholly commercial
application.
7a. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Block Frontage Standards
(38.510)
Meets Code?
Block frontage classification E Tamarack Street – Other Yes
Departure criteria N/A N/A
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 12 of 14
7d. Conformance with Article 5 – Parking (38.540) Meets Code?
Parking requirements 38.540.050 N/A N/A
Parking requirements residential 38.540.050.A.1 N/A
Comments: The subject property contains street frontage along the southern property line adjacent to E
Tamarack Street, which is designated as Other block frontage. The proposed site plan is for a new wireless
collocation project on an existing tower and is considered a level 1 improvement under BMC 38.500.020.B.
Requirements for Level 1 improvements are that the proposed improvements meet the standards and do not
lead to further nonconformance. No changes to the existing size, footprint, or use of the facility is proposed
as part of this project, and the height of the tower is proposed to be reduced. The submitted site plan
application meets the portions of the block frontage standards applicable to the proposed wireless
colocation.
7b. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Site Planning and Design
Elements (38.520)
Meets Code?
Design and arrangement of the elements of the plan (e.g., buildings, circulation, open
space, and landscaping, etc.) so that activities are integrated with the organizational
scheme of the community, neighborhood, and other approved development and produce
an efficient, functionally organized, and cohesive development
N/A
Relationship to adjacent properties 38.520.030 N/A
Non-motorized circulation and design systems to enhance convenience and safety
across parking lots and streets, including, but not limited to, paving patterns, pathway
design, landscaping, and lighting 38.520.040
Yes
Comments: The site does not contain any residential uses; therefore, 38.520.030 does not apply to this
project. A pedestrian path exists along the E Tamarack Street frontage and no changes are proposed.
Design of vehicular circulation systems to assure that vehicles can move safely and
easily both within the site and between properties and activities within the general
community 38.520.050
Yes
Internal roadway design 38.520.050.D N/A
Comments: Vehicle access to the site will be provided from an existing approach onto E Tamarack
Street. No changes to the existing access are proposed or anticipated with this project.
On-site open space 38.520.060 N/A
Total required N/A N/A
Total provided N/A N/A
Comments: The proposed site plan is for a new wireless collocation project on an existing tower located
at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. It is considered a level 1 improvement under BMC 38.500.020.B.
Requirements for Level 1 improvements are that the proposed improvements meet the standards and do
not lead to further nonconformance. No changes to the footprint of the existing tower site or leased area
are proposed with this application.
Location and design of service areas and mechanical equipment 38.520.070 N/A
Comments: No mechanical equipment to serve the site will be located outside of the existing leased area.
7c. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Building Design (38.530) Meets Code?
Compatibility with, and sensitivity to, the immediate environment of the site and the
adjacent neighborhoods and other approved development 38.530.030
N/A
Building massing and articulation 38.530.040 N/A
Building details, materials, and blank wall treatments 38.530.050-070 N/A
Comments: These provisions are not applicable to this site plan application, as no buildings are
proposed.
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 13 of 14
Reductions residential 38.540.050.A.1.b N/A
Parking requirements nonresidential
38.540.050.A.2
N/A
Reductions nonresidential 38.540.050.A.2.c N/A
Provided off-street N/A
Provided on-street N/A
Bicycle parking 38.540.050.A.4 N/A
Comments: BMC 38.540.050.A.2 lists the parking requirements for non-residential uses; however,
Wireless Facilities are not listed. As stated under BMC 38.540.050.A.2.a, when a use is not included in
the table, the review authority will determine the appropriate amount of parking required. Since the
proposed use is a wireless facility, no outside access beyond necessary maintenance is required.
Therefore, the existing parking spaces located adjacent to the existing Search and Rescue building at the
Gallatin County Fairgrounds are adequate to serve the site. Additionally, no bicycle parking exists or is
proposed with the wireless tower to limit the potential for risks to public health and safety.
Loading and uploading area requirements 38.540.080 N/A
First berth – minimum 70 feet in length, 12 feet in width, 14 feet in height N/A
Additional berth – minimum 45 feet in length N/A
Comments: N/A
7e. Conformance with Article 5 – Landscaping (38.550) Meets Code?
Mandatory landscaping requirements 38.550.050 Yes
Parking lot landscaping N/A
Additional screening N/A
Street frontage N/A
Street median island N/A
Acceptable landscape materials N/A
Protection of landscape areas N/A
Irrigation: plan, water source, system type N/A
Residential adjacency N/A
Comments: BMC 38.370.040.B.1.e. states the proposed site must comply with the landscaping provisions of
Article 5. However, no changes are proposed to the existing landscaping or parking lot which would require
additional landscaping to be provided. The subject property is located in a commercial zoning district and no
residential uses are adjacent to the proposed wireless facility. Additionally, the existing tower is located
behind the existing Search and Rescue building with no direct street frontage. Existing street trees are
located along the Gallatin County Fairgrounds street frontage. Therefore, the requirements of BMC 38.550
are not applicable to this application.
Landscaping of public lands 38.550.070 N/A
Comments: As stated above, street trees already exist along the Gallatin County Fairgrounds street frontage.
7f. Conformance with Article 5 – Signs (38.560) Meets Code?
Allowed SF/building 38.560.060 N/A N/A
Proposed SF/building N/A N/A
Comments: No signage is approved with this application. A separate sign permit is required prior to the
installation of any commercial signs.
7g. Conformance with Article 5 – Lighting (38.560) Meets Code?
Site lighting (supports, cutoff, footcandles, temperature) 38.570.040 N/A
Building-mounted lighting (supports, cutoff, footcandles, temperature) 38.570.040.B N/A
Staff Report
T Mobile Wireless Site Plan
Application No. 25479
December 5, 2025
Page 14 of 14
Comments: No site lighting is proposed with the submitted application. Any lighting required for the
actual tower will be reviewed by the Federal Aviation Administration for security and safety.
8. Conformance with Article 6 – Natural Resource Protection Meets Code?
Floodplain regulations 38.600 N/A
Wetland regulations 38.610 N/A
Comments: N/A
9. Relevant Comment from Affected Parties (38.220) Meets Code?
Public Comment Yes
Comments: A public notice period was conducted, which meets the requirements of this section and is
detailed on page 1 of this report. No comments have been received at the time of this report.
10. Division of Land Pertaining to Subdivisions (38.240-Part 4) Meets Code?
Subdivision exemptions N/A
Required easements N/A
Comments: No new easements are required with this site plan application, and no subdivision
exemptions are proposed