Mohave County planning panel approves 100-foot wireless tower in Fort Mohave after FAA clearance discussion

The Mohave County Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 approved a special use permit for a 100-foot wireless telecommunication monopole in the Fort Mohave vicinity.

The commission voted to approve the permit for Assessor's Parcel Number 22720038 after hearing from the applicant and staff. The application drew one letter of opposition, and staff recommended approval subject to standard conditions.

Tom Johnson, the applicant, told the commission the monopole would sit on a vacant parcel in a C2H (highway commercial) zone and is intended to improve Verizon service in a corridor he said currently has coverage issues. "This is a new 100 foot tall monopole placed on a vacant piece of land in this commercial district," Johnson said.

Commissioners pressed the applicant about aviation safety. Commissioner Morris asked whether the site had cleared federal aviation review because the parcel is within several hundred feet of two operating helipads. Johnson said the pole would be placed at the back of the parcel, the farthest point from the helipads, and that FAA clearance is "already in the works."

A motion to approve carried with the commission; the transcript records the motion, an affirmative vote and the item carrying. Staff noted the single opposition letter but recommended approval with standard conditions.

The commission's action forwards the recommendation to the Mohave County Board of Supervisors for final consideration on items that require board review per normal county process. The approval includes standard conditions specified by staff; the record did not enumerate those conditions during the hearing.