The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for a 65-foot stealth wireless communications facility disguised as a water tower on a vacant HOA-owned parcel at 27008 North High Desert Drive, Peoria.

Staff recommended approval after finding the proposed design and siting met the city's conditional-use permit criteria. The proposal calls for a 65-foot tall structure with the antenna arrays enclosed inside, an approximately 1,800-square-foot equipment enclosure screened by an 8-foot masonry wall, and one parking space for maintenance access. The commission approved CU 25-07 subject to the conditions in the staff report's exhibit 1.

The permit matters because the site is inside a residential neighborhood and close to community facilities. The nearest residential property line is about 190 feet from the leased area, the community center property line is approximately 37 feet from the site plan (roughly 50 feet to the building), and staff estimated the nearest classroom building at West Wing Elementary would be more than 500 feet away.

Planning staff noted the city received three emails of opposition during the public-notice period and that the applicant held a neighborhood meeting on June 16 at the West Wing Community Center where two residents attended. Staff told the commission that, under federal statutes and Federal Communications Commission orders, local jurisdictions are preempted from using alleged health effects from radio-frequency (RF) transmissions as a basis for denying a wireless facility. "Staff does recommend that the commission approve CU 25 dash 7 subject to the conditions of approval of exhibit 1," staff said during the presentation.

Declan Murphy, the applicant's representative, described multi-year outreach with the homeowners association and residents and said the water-tank concept was the option the community selected after several design meetings. Murphy said he has "been working on wireless sites for 20 odd years" and explained that RF exposure is measurable and ubiquitous: "RF is everywhere," he said. He also described site security and maintenance procedures, saying technicians would use a cherry picker for work and that the facility is designed to be not climbable.

Commissioners asked for measurements to community facilities, expressed concern about proximity to school children, and pressed for details about how the design would blend with the neighborhood. Staff and the applicant said colors and final exterior materials were still being coordinated with the HOA and would be finalized before building. Staff also noted the stealth design allows colocations, potentially reducing the need for additional towers in the area.

Commissioner Emilio Gaynor moved to approve the conditional use permit; Commissioner Tony Feider seconded. The motion was approved by the commission.

The commission held no public speakers at the hearing and closed the public comment period. The approval establishes the entitlement; any deviation from the approved site plan (for example, additional signage, lighting, or placement outside the leased area) could trigger further review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.