Tularosa Cell Tower Vote Delayed: What Happens Next
Published 22 October 2026
The Village of Tularosa has not decided yet on a proposed 190-foot cell tower at 44 Sunset Road. After more than an hour of public testimony at a special meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, the Board of Trustees put off its vote to a later special meeting that has not been scheduled. If you live in Tularosa or are thinking about buying there, here is what is proposed, what conditions are on the table and how to follow along.
What is being proposed in Tularosa?
A company called Flagship One LLC is asking for a special use permit, case 2026 SUP 002, to build a wireless tower on a parcel of about 15 acres behind a home off Sunset Road. According to 2nd Life Media's report on the October 19 hearing, the company now proposes a monopole instead of a three-legged lattice tower, with no light on top.
The company says carriers have signed a 30-year lease and that the need is about network capacity, not just coverage. It has also agreed to reserve space on the tower, at 150 feet or lower, for village and emergency equipment at nominal cost.
What conditions would the tower have to meet?
The village Planning and Zoning Commission does not recommend approval or denial of special use permits, but it did recommend 12 conditions the company would have to meet before getting a building permit. These include:
| Condition | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Engineering and structural certifications | Proof the tower is built to standard |
| Soil reports | Ground conditions under the foundation |
| Radio frequency emissions report | Showing the tower meets federal limits |
| Historic and environmental reviews | State historic preservation and federal environmental reviews |
| Gravel driveway | Access to the site |
| Battery backup | 8 to 10 hours, with no generator |
| Removal bond | $75,000, rising each year with inflation |
| Yearly proof of use | Showing the tower is still in service |
Why did the trustees delay the vote?
The mayor said at the end of the meeting that the board did not want to make a quick decision and wanted to look over everything first, and the trustees agreed. Most of the testimony came from residents who oppose the project. A petition with 198 signatures asking the board to deny the permit was submitted, and residents raised questions about the fall zone setbacks, details in the paperwork and whether there is a coverage gap at all. Some speakers suggested alternative sites.
This is not the first round. In July 2026, the board reversed an earlier approval of the tower after residents said they had not been notified, which sent the application back through the process.
How can Tularosa residents follow the decision?
The next vote will be at a special meeting, and special meetings have to be noticed publicly ahead of time. Watch the Village of Tularosa website and posted agendas, or call village hall to ask when it is scheduled.
What does this mean for homeowners and buyers?
Land use decisions like this one are exactly the kind of thing worth knowing about before you buy. A tower can matter to the people who live closest to it, and better cell service matters to people who work from home or need a reliable signal. Both sides have a stake. If you are looking at homes in Tularosa or nearby, I can help you check what is planned around a property. My neighborhoods guide has an overview of Tularosa and the other communities around Alamogordo, and you can read about another current village land question in my post on Tularosa's community solar proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the proposed Tularosa cell tower?
It is proposed at 44 Sunset Road in Tularosa, on a parcel of about 15 acres. The application is case 2026 SUP 002.
How tall is the proposed Tularosa cell tower?
The application describes a 190-foot tower. The company now proposes a monopole design instead of a lattice tower.
Did Tularosa approve the cell tower?
Not yet. On October 19, 2026, the Board of Trustees delayed its vote to a special meeting that has not been scheduled.
What conditions were recommended for the tower?
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended 12 conditions, including structural certifications, an emissions report and a $75,000 removal bond. The tower would also need an 8 to 10 hour battery backup with no generator.
How can I find out when Tularosa will vote on the cell tower?
Watch the Village of Tularosa website and posted meeting agendas. You can also call village hall to ask when the special meeting is set.
Details are from 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News reports published July 30, September 18 and October 21, 2026, checked 22 October 2026. The village has not made a final decision, so check with the Village of Tularosa for the latest.