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Commission approves Verizon’s modified conditional use permit to replace monopole with 67-foot ‘eucalyptus’ tower
Summary
The City of Corona Planning and Housing Commission granted a conditional use permit modification allowing Verizon to replace an existing 62-foot monopole with a 67-foot wireless tower disguised as a eucalyptus tree at 1660 Leeson Lane and approved a temporary 62-foot monopole during construction.
The City of Corona Planning and Housing Commission voted to grant a modification to Conditional Use Permit CUPM2024-0002, allowing Verizon Wireless to replace an existing 62-foot monopole with a new 67-foot wireless telecommunications facility disguised as a mono-eucalyptus tree at 1660 Leeson Lane in the M-3 Heavy Manufacturing zone. The commission also accepted a change to a permit condition clarifying when a temporary tower must be removed.
Brandon Daugherty, associate planner, presented the item and staff recommendation. Daugherty said the subject site is 5.87 acres, the existing monopole was constructed in 1992 and was owned by American Tower Company, and the industrial property is operated by Mission Rubber Company. The proposal would build a 67-foot “mono eucalyptus” tower with eucalyptus bark texture and faux branches for camouflage; staff proposed a temporary 62-foot monopole to provide interim service while the existing tower is removed and the new facility is constructed.
Staff recommended the commission find the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15302 and adopt Resolution No. 2667 granting the CUP modification based on findings and conditions in the staff report. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about ownership and maintenance. Staff said the new tower will be owned and operated by Verizon rather than the existing American Tower Company structure, and that Condition No. 7 requires ongoing maintenance consistent with the original approval; staff told commissioners such facilities typically have remote monitoring and generally receive a three-month inspection schedule.
At the public hearing, Kerrigan Deal of Plancom Inc., representing the applicant, requested a small clarification to Condition No. 14: change the wording from “temporary tower shall be removed from the property prior to receiving a building final” to “upon receiving final” (the applicant said the change is to ensure coverage continuity). The commission agreed and the motion to adopt the resolution included that wording change.
A motion to adopt the CEQA exemption and grant CUPM2024-0002 (Resolution No. 2667) with the updated Condition No. 14 language passed. The approved permit requires the temporary monopole to be removed once final is received and includes standard conditions for continued maintenance and potential future colocation review.
No speakers from the public opposed the project during the hearing, and staff and the applicant indicated the temporary monopole will be removed when final permits are received and the new tower is operational.
