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Planning Commission renews Verizon use permit for Willits-area monopine tower
Summary
The Mendocino County Planning Commission voted unanimously to renew a Verizon Wireless use permit (UR2025002) for an 85-foot monopine tower near Willits, extending the permit for a 10-year period; staff recommended approval and the commission found the project CEQA-exempt because no physical changes were proposed.
The Mendocino County Planning Commission unanimously approved a renewal of a Verizon Wireless use permit for a monopine telecommunications tower near Willits.
Staff planner Liam told the commission the renewal (item UR2025002) extends an existing permit originally approved in 2014 (U_2014-0012) and would extend the facility’s authorization for an additional 10 years. Liam said the facility is an 85-foot monopine within a 1,600-square-foot leased area, accessed by a 16-foot-wide driveway, is unmanned and remains structurally sound according to a structural engineer’s report submitted with the application. He also noted that no physical changes to the tower were proposed and that the application was referred to other agencies; the Sherwood Valley Scribe responded with no objection.
"The Planning Commission is the one that's finding the project to be exempt," Liam said, clarifying a phrasing in the draft resolution and asking the commission to adopt the resolution as amended. He recommended the commission adopt the resolution and conditions of approval.
Eric Lips, representing Verizon, said the company had nothing substantive to add and described the facility as "in good standing." No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public hearing.
A commissioner identified as the motion mover (recorded during the meeting as representing the district where the facility sits) moved to approve the renewal and adopt the resolution with exhibit A and conditions of approval; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote. Commissioners Wiedemann, Richards and Chair Pollan each voted yes; the motion passed unanimously.
The resolution adopted by the commission includes a finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act because no physical changes are proposed. Staff will carry out the conditions of approval and maintain project files per the resolution.
The commission did not receive any written correspondence opposing the renewal prior to the hearing.
