Planning commission approves 255-foot Horvath Communications tower with FAA, FCC conditions

The Saline County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 255-foot telecommunications tower proposed by Horvath Communications on June 23, 2026.

Staff presented the application and told commissioners the tower would sit on a 158-acre parcel about 1,500 feet west of the intersection of West Farley and South Lightville Roads in Section 12, Township 15 South Range 4 East. The presentation — made by a staff member identified during discussion as Tim — said the tower would be a self-supporting structure and located more than 300 feet from the West Farley Road right-of-way but within the airport buffer zone. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including completion of a commercial permit review and submission of FAA and FCC documentation (including FAA Form 7460 and a no-adverse-impact finding for Salina Regional Airport) before a building permit would be issued.

Jared Fouts, who introduced himself as representing Horvath Communications, said he is an independent contractor in the wireless business and offered to answer questions. "I've been doing this for quite a while, about 21 years," Fouts said, explaining he was representing the tower builder and was available to address technical questions.

Commission discussion focused on allowable review criteria under local zoning and federal law. Staff reminded the commission it may only consider zoning issues explicitly listed in local regulations (setbacks, fall-zone compliance, flood-plain compliance) and cannot deny a permit on the basis of service quality because of restrictions in the Federal Telecommunications Act (referred to in the meeting as section 704A). Commissioners noted possible additional conditions that would not conflict with federal law, such as safety lighting where appropriate, but agreed the draft conditions covered standard concerns.

A motion to approve CUP 26-02 with the conditions recommended by staff was moved and seconded. The commission voted to approve the permit; the motion carried.

The commission record notes FAA and FCC approvals must be submitted to staff prior to issuance of a building permit, and that a commercial permit review will occur as part of the standard building process. No public commenters spoke against the tower during the meeting.