Taft Planning Commission approves conditional use permit for unmanned fiber hut at Highway 33 and Petroleum Club Road

The City of Taft Planning Commission on July 16 approved Conditional Use Permit 2025-06 to place an unmanned prefabricated telecommunications “fiber hut,” an emergency backup generator and an underground propane tank within a fenced 46-by-55-foot enclosure on city-owned property at the northeast corner of Highway 33 and Petroleum Club Road.

The permit, submitted by Tilson Technology Management on behalf of the California Department of Technology, passed on a 4-0 roll call vote. Planning staff recommended approval and concluded the project meets development standards for the General Commercial zone and the Taft General Plan.

Luke Reisner of the Planning Department described the proposal to commissioners as a 12-by-20-foot unmanned prefabricated telecommunications facility with an emergency backup generator and an underground propane tank on a currently vacant parcel. Reisner said the department found the application complete after its April 16 submission and recommended the commission adopt a resolution approving the conditional use permit. Reisner also told commissioners the department’s packet included findings supporting the permit.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed local concerns about traffic safety and protecting the equipment from vehicle strikes. One commissioner said the intersection has had “pretty major accidents” and asked whether the site left room for future road widening or turn lanes. Reisner pointed to site plans and aerial maps in the staff report and said the proposed building would sit “over 70 feet from the actual road,” providing what he described as room for future expansion.

During the public hearing, Michelle Thompson, representing Tilson, said the applicant appreciated the suggestion of protective bollards and noted the propane tank is underground: “the propane tank is actually underground so, we appreciate the bollard idea, we'll take it into consideration, but the propane tank will actually be protected because it is underground.” Michael Long, speaking for Gilson and the applicant, said the ideal construction schedule would begin in the first quarter of next year, with building permits obtained this year. He said the project is part of a broader broadband initiative with a funding and construction deadline at the end of next year, which he identified as 2026.

Reisner also told the commission the California Department of Technology is in the process of securing a lease agreement with the city for use of the property. The resolution adopted by the commission includes a finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction of small structures), as set forth in the staff report.

After discussion the commission closed the public hearing, took a motion to adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit 2025-06, and approved it by roll call: Commissioners Davenport, McDaniel, Vice Chairman Church and Chairman Jerry Livingston voted “yes.”

The commission’s action clears the permit at the Planning Commission level; the applicant said it will pursue building permits and the city and the California Department of Technology will finalize a lease before construction starts. The commission did not attach a specific deadline for construction beyond the schedule described by the applicant, and it did not require bollards as a condition though commissioners urged the applicant to consider protective measures.

Votes at a glance: Conditional Use Permit 2025-06 — approved (resolution adopting CUP 2025-06; CEQA Guidelines §15303 exemption) — Roll call: Davenport yes; McDaniel (Steven McDaniel) yes; Vice Chairman Church yes; Chairman Jerry Livingston yes; outcome approved, 4-0.