Zoning commission approves 195-foot Verizon monopole with conditions

The City of Central Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved a conditional-use permit and height waiver for a proposed Verizon wireless facility at 15194 Jewell Road.

The commission granted the permit for a 195-foot monopole designed to host three carriers, allowing other wireless providers to co-locate on the structure. The approval followed staff presentation that the application met the minimum requirements for commission consideration and after commissioners asked about design, camouflage and abandonment provisions.

Staff had included 14 standard conditions in its recommendation packet, including measures to make equipment and fencing compatible with surrounding development and to meet the city’s engineering and safety standards. Commissioners asked the applicant about camouflage options; the applicant said the tower will be a monopole rather than a faux-tree design and that the site will include screening around the base. The commission noted an existing local removal requirement that, if a tower is not brought into service within the required period, the structure must be removed (the record showed a 180-day abandonment removal timeframe in local practice).

Commissioners moved and seconded approval and carried the motion in roll call vote.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed to the next permitting steps; it does not authorize construction until required building, engineering and safety approvals are obtained and the conditions set by staff are satisfied.

The commission also discussed whether the city requires financial assurance for removal; staff indicated no such bond was included in the standard conditions for this permit.

The site’s owner is listed as Barry Lane Bennett Jr.; the applicant on record is Verizon (Ryan Shahan). The action was recorded as a conditional-use approval with a height waiver subject to staff conditions and later permitting actions.