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Commission hears stealth cell-tower proposal behind Home Depot; staff backs approval with 100-foot limit
Summary
Applicants for a stealth —broadleaf' monopole behind Home Depot at 27320 Ranch Road 12 described access challenges, fall-zone engineering and RF capacity benefits; staff recommended approval with a 100-foot height limit and the commission moved to approve, though a final roll call was not captured in the transcript excerpt.
A proposal for a stealth wireless transmission facility (a broadleaf-style monopole to host Verizon and future carriers) at 27320 Ranch Road 12 was presented to the commission on Aug. 27. The site is behind Home Depot and the applicant team representing Vertical Bridge emphasized driveway/access challenges and fall-zone engineering; a photo simulation showed a camouflaged broadleaf monopole and the applicant argued the location would improve in-building cellular capacity.
Vince Heebinger (Vincent Gerard & Associates) said Verizon identified the search area and the chosen site had a single willing property owner. He explained the proposed monopole is intended as a capacity site to relieve overloaded neighboring sectors and showed RF exposure comparisons, stating there is no scientific evidence that operations at permitted levels cause health impacts. He also provided a fall-zone letter from the tower manufacturer and an engineered plan to place the foundation on an existing basketball-court pad to reduce impervious cover.
Tory Carpenter reviewed code requirements and staff findings: the zoning district requires a stealth design, the code limits monopole height to 100 feet, and setbacks to the nearest residence exceed the code minimum (staff measured ~195 feet from pole to the nearest dwelling). Staff recommended approval with conditions: the stealth design generally consistent with the broadleaf tree sim, a maximum antenna/pole height of 100 feet (the lightning rod can exceed that height for grounding), and required staff approval of site development prior to construction. The staff report also noted the application will go to City Council on Sept. 17 with the commission's recommendation.
Public commenters raised property-value and safety concerns, and one resident cited a 2021 court decision and a body of scientific literature questioning FCC RF exposure guidelines. The applicant responded that carriers must meet emission limits and that the site is being sited for capacity and co-location potential.
Commissioner Eugene moved to approve the CUP and it was seconded; the transcript excerpt does not capture a subsequent roll-call or voice count before staff transitioned to other business. Staff and the applicant will pursue site-development review conditions and the item will appear before City Council on Sept. 17.
