Putnam County may lease parkland for a cellular tower

Putnam County is authorized to lease the described park parcel to Homeland Towers, LLC, and grant the company an access and utility easement. The lease covers about 0.060 acres in Carmel for a 160-foot cellular tower and related equipment. The easement covers access and utilities over county parkland. The lease must be at fair market value. The access road must remain open to the public and usable for park purposes. The law takes effect immediately. The lease may last up to 30 years.

Putnam County must use lease proceeds and dedicate money equal to or greater than the easement's fair market value for park and recreation purposes. The money must go to improvements at existing park or recreation facilities, or to acquiring additional facilities.

The lease ends and the land and access easement return to the county if the leased land stops being used for the authorized tower purposes. This applies to the leased land and the access easement. When the land returns, the tower and related equipment must be removed and the property restored for park and recreation use. The lease and easement end, and the land returns, when the leased land stops being used for the authorized purposes.

Putnam County must meet applicable federal requirements before discontinuing or converting the parkland if it received specified federal support. The condition applies to the lands described for the lease and easement. This applies if the county received federal funding or assistance to buy, maintain, or improve the described parklands. Applicable federal requirements may include satisfying the Interior Secretary that substitute land will be equal in fair market value and usefulness. The county must meet applicable federal requirements before the parkland change occurs.