Planning commission approves 140‑foot cell tower in Clarksburg after debate over aesthetics and energy

The Clay County Planning Commission on April 21 approved a major use permit and a mitigated negative declaration to allow construction and operation of a wireless telecommunications monopole at 38300 Jefferson Boulevard in Clarksburg.

JD Trebek, senior planner, told commissioners the application (identified in materials as ABC Towers 3 on behalf of AT&T) requests a co‑locatable monopole on a five‑acre parcel with a 40‑by‑50‑foot lease area for ground equipment. "The proposed tower is 140 feet high," Trebek said in his presentation, and staff explained the site is in the Clarksburg Agricultural District overlay and would require underground utility trenching and a diesel backup generator for outages. The environmental review record shows a Mitigated Negative Declaration circulated March 14–April 13, 2022, and includes mitigation measures for biological and cultural resources.

Applicant representative Solomon Martinez said the site was chosen to fill a coverage "hole" and because a willing property owner was available. "The reason for choosing this location is mostly a coverage scenario," Martinez said, adding that the company evaluated agricultural and environmentally sensitive areas when selecting the parcel.

Commissioners questioned safety and design details. Commissioner Byrd asked whether FAA lighting would be required because of nearby agricultural aircraft; Trebek answered that FAA lighting is required only for towers taller than 150 feet, and the proposal fell below that threshold. The commission also discussed visibility from State Route 84 and objections raised by the Delta Protection Commission about aesthetics; staff noted the Clarksburg advisory committee had unanimously recommended approval and that SR‑84 is not a designated scenic roadway.

Energy and backup power drew sustained attention. Commissioners asked whether the tower could be powered in part by solar or other on‑site generation. Martinez and staff said macrocell sites can have large peak power draws that make on‑site solar and battery designs challenging. "It is a very large one, and it does have some setbacks because when AC units kick on they have a large demand," Martinez said of on‑site solar alternatives. Commissioner Dubin pressed for a condition requiring solar or renewable procurement; staff suggested a feasible alternative would be requiring the site to enroll in a 100% renewable electricity product from providers such as Valley Clean Energy or PG&E’s green options.

Flood‑zone and building‑permit issues were also noted. Trebek said the building‑permit stage would address pad elevation and related flood‑proofing measures; if the site must be raised above the flood elevation, those details would be resolved during permitting.

Commissioner Campbell moved to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration, adopt the findings in the staff report, and approve the use permit in accordance with the conditions of approval; Commissioner Bird seconded. The commission voted 6–0 to approve the environmental determination and the major use permit.

Votes at a glance - Renew teleconference authorization under Assembly Bill 361: motion passed (unanimous). - Adoption of minutes from previous meetings: motion passed (6–0). - Approval of agenda: motion passed (6–0). - Major use permit and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Jefferson Boulevard wireless facility: approved, motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner Bird; vote 6–0.

What happens next: Per staff remarks, building plans and any required flood‑elevation adjustments will be addressed through the building‑permit process; the applicant must meet the conditions of approval and mitigation measures included in the MND before construction begins.