The Planning Commission opened public comment on a conditional use permit for a proposed wireless communications facility (UP25‑2) near the northeast corner of Richvale Highway and Colony Road and heard multiple neighbors and agricultural operators object on safety and notification grounds. Mark Michellena of the Development Services Department summarized the application, saying the project would include a 100‑foot monopole plus a 5‑foot lightning rod, antennas, radio units, ground equipment in a 2,500‑square‑foot fenced compound, and a backup diesel generator. He said staff prepared an initial study and a mitigated negative declaration that includes measures for giant garter snake habitat.

Nearby ag pilots and airport operators told the commission they had not received adequate notice and that the tower would sit in an intensive agricultural flight corridor used for low‑altitude aerial application and helicopter operations. A pilot who identified himself as an agricultural operator said he gathered opposition from about 47 operators and the Mosquito Abatement district and said several pilots learned of the project only after a nearby neighbor received a postcard. "No matter what the FAA is saying, this is a very intense corridor for agriculture aircraft, helicopters and airplanes that fly on very low visibility," the pilot told the commission, saying a tower in the proposed location would present an additional obstacle during low‑altitude operations.

Craig Compton, who identified himself as owner/operator of the nearby airstrip, told the commission the strip is FAA recognized and used daily by many helicopters and other operators. Other speakers who live near the site described frequent low flights over their homes during planting season and said the tower would be visible from private yards and potentially hazardous.

The applicant’s representative, Bill Lewis of Assurance Development, said the company obtained an FAA review that found no hazard to flight and offered to pursue voluntary mitigation after hearing community concerns. "We are willing to do aviation painting at the pole, as well as lighting of the structure," Lewis said, and he said his team had provided a noise study showing compliance with the county noise ordinance for daytime and nighttime emergency generator operation. Lewis also said the applicant was open to shifting the tower location on the parcel about 370 feet farther from residents and to reexamining other parcel locations.

Staff noted the zoning (AG‑80) requires a use permit for a wireless facility and that Article 26 of the county telecommunication code governs siting, setbacks and maximum height (100 feet with an additional 5 feet for a lightning rod when needed). Michellena said the project area includes rice fields and that the nearest residences are roughly 190–215 feet from the proposed compound. The mitigation package in staff’s recommended mitigated negative declaration includes measures for giant garter snake habitat and other standard construction‑era protections.

After public comment and discussion, commissioners expressed a mix of views. Several commissioners said they wanted more information on co‑location possibilities and whether nearby grain silos and other structures had been approached for antenna placement. Commissioners also said agricultural operators and airport representatives should have more time to weigh in. Planning staff advised that the commission may continue the hearing to allow the applicant to return with alternatives or may decide the matter based on the record.

The applicant agreed to investigate co‑location options, to provide a clearer record on why certain structures would not work for antennas and to present determinations and a potential relocated site on the same parcel if feasible. The commission then voted to continue the matter to allow the applicant to pursue those follow‑up items and to give the community time to respond. The vote directed staff and the applicant to return with findings on co‑location outreach, an analysis of the silo and building alternatives, and a refined proposal if the applicant wishes to shift the tower on the parcel.