TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approval of Milestone Tower Land Lease Agreement Between City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V, Related to Property Located at 5895 North Sumter Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286, Parcel Identification No. 0942-04-1902.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Milestone Tower Land Lease Agreement between the City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V, located at 5895 North Sumter Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286, Parcel Identification No. 0942-04-1902.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Milestone Tower Land Lease Agreement between the City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V, located at 5895 North Sumter Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286, Parcel Identification No. 0942-04-1902
• Pros: Approval of the tower land lease agreement will generate additional revenue for the City while significantly improving cellular coverage throughout North Port. Enhanced service would benefit residents, businesses, and visitors by reducing dropped calls and improving mobile and broadband connectivity. Improved service would also support emergency communications and help reduce existing cellular dead zones.
• Cons: Construction of a cellular tower may be perceived as a visual intrusion depending on its location. The tower could impact the aesthetic character of nearby residential neighborhoods or other highly visible public areas.
Option 2: Deny the Milestone Tower Land Lease Agreement between the City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V, located at 5895 North Sumter Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286, Parcel Identification No. 0942-04-1902.
• Pros: Denying the agreement would preserve the existing visual character of the area and maintain its appearance for future residential or commercial development within the North Port Estates. Some residents and businesses may prefer development that does not include cellular infrastructure in closed proximity.
• Cons: Without the proposed tower, residents and businesses may continue to experience dropped calls, slow data speeds, and unreliable coverage. Limited cellular capacity may also impact first responders, who rely on strong and dependable networks to communicate effectively during emergency situations.
Background Information
To support the City of North Port’s growing demand for reliable wireless service, Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V, a managing partner with Verizon Wireless, has proposed construction of a new cellular tower at 5895 North Sumter Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286. This tower is intended to improve citywide wireless coverage and will include dedicated space for communication equipment used by the North Port Police Department and Fire Rescue Department.
The proposed tower land lease agreement establishes the terms under which the tower would be located on City property. This Agreement has an initial term of ten (10) years and will automatically renew for additional five (5) year terms unless terminated via written notice, for up to three (3) successive renewal periods.
The Tower Land Lease Agreement between the City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office and is legally correct as to form.
The Tower Land Lease Agreement between the City of North Port Road and Drainage District and Milestone Towers Limited Partnership V was provided to the City Clerk's Office on February 3, 2026, for signatures, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
The Milestone Tower Land Lease Agreement provides a one-time site fee of $20,000.00 payable to the City of Noth Port. Additionally, a monthly revenue of $1,000.00 for a term of ten years with a 2% increase annually starting the second year. This Agreement also provides for additional monthly lease fees of an amount equal to 40% of the Gross Revenues for each broadband tenant, beginning with the second subtenant, that will be paid in monthly installments for a term of the lease. Funding will be added to the 107-0000-362.00-00 account.
Procurement
Not Applicable.
Attachments:
1. Tower Land Lease Agreement
2. Map
3. Florida Division of Corporations
Prepared by: Rita Puglise, Real Estate Coordinator
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Director of Public Works