New Sprint cell tower to be installed this summer in South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission recently approved a transmission and receiving facility replacement project which will bring a taller cell tower for Sprint to the South Shore.

A 150-foot monopole will be erected adjacent to the current 110-foot lattice tower. Once the taller pole is built on an elevated concrete pad surrounded by new fencing, the old tower will be dismantled.

The monopole will be painted dark forest green to blend in with the surrounding forest. The top of it will stick up above the trees but it won't be disguised as a tree as some towers are designed.

In his presentation to the commission, John Hitchcock of the SLT planning department said they sent letters to the El Dorado County residents in the area, but nobody voiced a concern. While the tower will be constructed on property zoned recreation in the City limits, the nearest homes are all in the County.

If all goes as planned, the project is expected to be completed this summer.