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County approves Leesburg monopine tower after hearing safety and wildlife concerns
Summary
Lake County commissioners approved a conditional use permit for a 154‑foot monopine communications tower in unincorporated Leesburg after staff and the applicant said the design meets setbacks, will be screened by existing canopy, and that environmental permits and site‑plan review will address wildlife concerns.
Lake County commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to approve a conditional use permit (FL 1878) for a monopine communications tower on roughly 12.62 acres in unincorporated Leesburg.
Planning and Zoning Director Mike Fitzgerald described the plan as a request for a 154‑foot monopine, a 6,400‑square‑foot lease area and a 20‑foot gravel access drive; the planning board had recommended approval unanimously. Applicant representative Manchanaya John said the monopine is designed to blend into the pine canopy and to be engineered to allow co‑location for multiple carriers, and that the site is outside the flood hazard area.
During public comment Gary Weepking and Lisette Jensen asked about recommended separation distances from homes and about wildlife surveys, citing gopher tortoises and bald eagles. "I've heard maybe 1,600 feet" as a suggested safe distance, Weepking said. Jensen asked the board to postpone action to allow more environmental study and expressed concerns about nearby water supply and fire‑suppression resources.
The applicant responded by citing the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and more recent Federal Communications Commission guidance on RF safety, saying the company complies with FCC requirements and that measured signal maps and RF packets were submitted to show improved coverage and compliance. John said wildlife and environmental permitting is part of site‑plan review and that required state and federal permits will be obtained during that process.
Commissioners noted that the applicant moved the tower location away from existing homes and that photo simulations show the structure largely obscured by tree canopy. After brief discussion a commissioner moved to approve and the board voted "aye"; the motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: the applicant will complete required site‑plan reviews and obtain any state or federal permits related to environmental resources and protected species before construction.
