Telecom use permit continued to November after project materials not posted online

The Siskiyou County Planning Commission voted unanimously to continue consideration of the Yreka Union telecommunication use permit, UP2501, to the commission’s November meeting after the chair concluded that required project materials were not posted online and the public and some commissioners did not have access.

Senior planner Rachel Jerub described a proposal for a 100‑foot tall faux windmill lattice wireless communications facility within a 50‑by‑50 lease area at 943 Highway 263, north of Yreka, on a property developed with a single‑family dwelling. She said Verizon is proposed as the first carrier and that the facility would provide improved coverage and capacity, including in‑building service at 2100 MHz. Jerub said the project was proposed to be categorically exempt under CEQA guidelines cited in the packet and that departmental reviewers (Environmental Health, CAL FIRE, Air Pollution Control) had provided comments that staff addressed with conditions.

The chair said paper copies alone were insufficient because members of the public did not have access to site plans and design documents; she stated she was not comfortable opening a public hearing without the materials being available online and declined counsel’s suggestion to open the hearing and accept the presenter’s PowerPoint. The chair said it would be inappropriate to proceed and would not place the county in legal jeopardy. Commissioner Miller moved to continue the item to the November meeting; the motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to continue. Staff and the applicant were directed to post full project materials online before the continued hearing.