Planning Commission approves Yreka Union wireless facility use permit

The Siskiyou County Planning Commission unanimously approved a use permit for a 100-foot faux-windmill wireless communications facility just north of Yreka.

Senior Planner Rachel Jaram told the commission the proposal would place a lattice-style, decorative windmill tower and equipment within a 50-by-50-foot lease area at 943 Highway 263. She said the site is in a rural residential–agricultural zone where wireless communications are conditionally permitted and that staff determined the project is consistent with the general plan and exempt from CEQA under the common-sense exemptions and the small-facility exemptions in CEQA Guidelines §§15303 and 15304. She said Environmental Health, CALFIRE and Air Pollution Control provided comments and that conditions were added to address hazardous-material business plan requirements and relevant fire and air regulations.

Bill Lewis, representing the applicant VerticalBridge and Assurance Development, presented coverage maps and photo-simulations, saying Verizon is the proposed anchor tenant and the site is intended to improve in‑building coverage and relieve capacity at a southern site he identified as Bunker Hill. "The facility will allow Verizon to provide more reliable services and improve access to additional wireless services for the benefits of nearby residences, businesses, visitors, and first responders," Lewis said during his presentation.

During commissioner questioning, staff and the applicant explained that higher-frequency bands provide greater data capacity but shorter range, making additional sites necessary to improve indoor coverage and home‑internet offerings. The applicant confirmed a diesel generator is proposed for backup power and that the faux windmill is decorative and not intended to generate power; wind load and structural analyses would be handled at the building‑permit stage.

Chairman Fowle raised concerns that Verizon appeared willing to fund new infrastructure while an existing transmitter at Denny Point has not been repaired after the transition to 5G. Bill Lewis clarified that VerticalBridge would own the tower and that Verizon would be the anchor tenant leasing space on the structure.

A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution PC 2025-519 determining the project exempt from CEQA and approving Use Permit UP-2501; a second was given and a voice vote recorded unanimous approval. The commission’s action included the staff-recommended conditions addressing agency comments. The chair closed the Yreka Union item and moved to the next agenda item.