Commission approves 60-foot “mono eucalyptus” cell tower at South Hills Country Club

The West Covina Planning Commission on April 22 approved a conditional use permit for a 60-foot freestanding wireless telecommunications facility designed to resemble a eucalyptus tree at South Hills Country Club, near East Cameron Avenue and South Barranca Street.

Assistant Planner Amy Davis told the commission the applicant seeks the permit to fill a documented coverage gap and that the proposal meets the city's development rules for telecommunication facilities. "The proposed facility . . . will be located on the easterly portion of the country club," Davis said during her staff report, and she noted the nearest residence is about 136 feet from the proposed site and the nearest existing facility is about 3,500 feet away at Cortez Park.

The staff report said the city—s zoning code allows freestanding wireless facilities in residential zones only with an approved conditional use permit; the proposed design includes a trunk and three branch sections with three horizontal arrays and a total of 12 panel antennas, plus an equipment shelter and generator inside a 30-by-30-foot lease area enclosed by a six-foot block wall. Davis also noted the staff determination that the proposal is categorically exempt from CEQA under the…