Citrus County panel approves 159-foot shrouded monopole at First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills

The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission approved a conditional use in June 2025 to allow a 159‑foot shrouded monopole telecommunications tower on property owned by First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills, intended initially for T‑Mobile and future co‑location.

The tower approval, passed 5–2 after public comment and about an hour of presentation and questions, drew praise from commissioners who said expanded cellular coverage is needed and concern from residents and two commissioners about proximity to residentially designated land and possible future site changes.

Applicant Matt Tanaya John told the commission the shrouded monopole — a single support pole with antennas contained inside a triangular shroud — would be painted to match the church and include a Type D landscape buffer. He said the structure would be 155 feet to the top of the steel pole and 159 feet to the tip of the lightning rod, and that the engineered fall zone (50% of tower height) would be contained on the parent church parcel. John identified T‑Mobile as the carrier needing the site and said APC, the professional tower company pursuing the application, is seeking colocation to avoid multiple separate towers.

Joe Hockadell, principal planner with Citrus County…