Planning Commission approves 37-foot AT&T ‘‘monopine’’ at Cornerstone Christian Church

The Vista Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a special use permit allowing AT&T to install a 37-foot freestanding wireless tower disguised as a pine tree at 1010 Crestview Road, the site of Cornerstone Christian Church.

Staff told the commission the project (P24-0140) would include a 37-foot tower with 12 antennas, a 375-square-foot equipment enclosure and photo simulations showing the monopine from several vantage points. Planning staff said the site is a single 3.65-acre parcel, is designated medium low-density residential in the general plan and is zoned R-1. Staff said the nearest residence is about 130 feet away and the project requires a special use permit because it would exceed the 35-foot height limit in the R-1 zone and is within 500 feet of a residential zone or residence.

In presenting the application, Richard Glinton, who identified himself as working with MD7 on behalf of AT&T, said the site is intended to improve coverage on Highway 78 and nearby residential streets and noted AT&T’s deployment of FirstNet, a network dedicated to first responders. “AT and T sees public safety as its highest priority when proposing new cell sites,” Glinton said. He also said a radio-frequency safety report had been completed and the proposed facility complies with Federal Communications Commission limits.

Commissioner Looney asked whether the tower would be for emergency services only. Glinton replied, “No. It is not. It services both the community, are the customers of AT and T but also has dedicated antennas and frequencies for first responders.”

Planning staff recommended adoption of Resolution 2025 to grant the special use permit. Commissioner Savage moved the resolution; Commissioner Martin seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission’s approval allows AT&T to pursue building and site permits consistent with the conditions of approval in the resolution. Staff noted photo simulations and elevation drawings are in the record and said collocation by other carriers in the future would be directed to existing towers where feasible to reduce additional tower construction along the corridor.

A commissioner later flagged an area immediately east of the church, visible in the project photos, that contains numerous abandoned vehicles; staff said they would refer that observation to code enforcement for follow up.

The permit is subject to any standard building and permit review processes that follow planning approval and to compliance with the federal RF exposure limits referenced in the staff report.