Council upholds conditional use permit for AT&T telecom facility at 3111 Benton after contentious appeal; aesthetics added as condition

The City Council voted to uphold the Planning Commission’s approval of a conditional use permit for a new AT&T wireless facility in the parking lot of 3111 Benton Street, rejecting an appeal by nearby residents who sought relocation. The council action preserves the Planning Commission design — three monopoles about 42 feet, 6 inches tall — subject to additional aesthetic work with planning staff.

Why it matters: The issue drew large public turnout and months of review before the Planning Commission. Nearby residents and a neighborhood group argued the facility would be visually intrusive, risk property‑value declines, and raise health concerns. City staff and the applicant said federal law limits local governments’ ability to regulate facilities based on radio‑frequency health effects and that the proposed design was necessary to close a local service gap and support public‑safety (FirstNet) coverage.

Planning staff and the applicant: Community…