Taft planning commission approves conditional use permit for unmanned fiber hut on city property

The Taft Planning Commission on July 16 approved Conditional Use Permit 2025-06 to allow an unmanned, prefabricated telecommunications fiber hut, emergency backup generator and underground propane tank on city-owned property at the northeast corner of Highway 33 and Petroleum Club Road.

The project, submitted by Tilson Technology Management on behalf of the California Department of Technology, proposes a 46-by-55-foot fenced enclosure containing a 12-by-20-foot unmanned fiber hut, a backup generator and an underground propane tank on APNs 220-290-10 and 220-042-05. Planning Department staff found the application met the development standards for the General Commercial (CG) zone and recommended approval.

Luke Reisner, planning staff, said the applicant "submitted their conditional use permit and plans on April 16, and it was found to meet development standards of the general commercial zone district, as well as, consistency with the general plan. And therefore, the project's proposed…