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Planning commission permits 100‑foot tower on Mary’s Peak with wildlife conditions
Summary
The Benton County Planning Commission approved a 100‑foot telecommunications tower on Mary’s Peak (LU2413). Staff recommended and commissioners adopted conditions responding to state wildlife agency suggestions; the record was closed before the vote.
The Benton County Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use permit for a 100‑foot telecommunications tower at Mary’s Peak (LU2413), finding the proposal would have low to minimal impacts and adopting wildlife‑related conditions recommended by state agencies.
A staff planner told commissioners the site already contains multiple communication towers and that the new structure would replace two defunct installations. Staff noted the parcel is zoned forest conservation and much of the surrounding land is federally managed, and recommended approval with conditions that reflect input from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and other resource agencies.
David Terrence, representing the applicant, said the existing wooden pole and a smaller lattice structure are deteriorated and pose a safety hazard; the replacement tower would consolidate equipment and reduce site safety risks. He told the commission the company did not plan at this time to add additional commercial tenants to the new tower but that the new structure could accommodate modern equipment.
Commissioners asked for clarification about the tower’s location relative to the summit, prior permits for nearby towers, and whether standard wildlife mitigation measures had been used on previous county projects. Staff said past cell‑tower approvals had not included specific wildlife conditions but that the current site’s proximity to Forest Service lands and potential habitat justified the added measures. No members of the public testified in opposition. The commission’s motion to approve, which incorporated the staff findings and the recommended conditions of operating approval (including bird‑nesting mitigation and related measures), passed unanimously.
The planning commission’s final decision may be appealed to the Benton County Board of Commissioners within 14 days; the county will mail the notice of decision to all parties who testified or submitted written comments.
