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Planning commission approves 100‑foot monopole at 1225 Richens Ave with mitigated negative declaration
Summary
On Feb. 26 the Butte County Planning Commission adopted a mitigated negative declaration under CEQA and approved a conditional use permit for a 100‑foot monopole at 1225 Richens Avenue, requiring biological mitigations and standard permit conditions; staff said the site will improve Verizon coverage and allow future colocations.
The Butte County Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a conditional use permit and the accompanying mitigated negative declaration for a proposed 100‑foot telecommunications monopole at 1225 Richens Avenue.
Assistant Planner Alyssa Mendoza told commissioners the project includes a 100‑foot monopole with a 5‑foot lightning rod, two ground‑mounted equipment cabinets, a diesel backup generator and a 50‑by‑50 lease area enclosed by a 6‑foot chain‑link fence. Staff found the project consistent with applicable zoning standards for the agricultural (AG‑20) parcel and recommended adoption of the mitigated negative declaration with mitigation measures aimed at protecting garter snakes and preserving oak trees.
Bill Lewis, representing Vertical Bridge and Verizon Wireless, said the facility is designed to fill an existing coverage gap, improve in‑building service for residents and visitors, and to support first‑responder communications. "The facility will allow Verizon to fill a service gap by providing reliable in‑building coverage," Lewis said. The applicant submitted a third‑party electromagnetic emissions (EME) report showing compliance with FCC exposure standards.
Staff noted the three closest residences to the site are about 475 feet southwest, 525 feet northeast and the on‑site residence at roughly 625 feet. The site will be accessed from West Liberty Road via a new gravel driveway; the lease area and equipment locations are shown in the staff packet.
A commissioner moved to adopt the mitigated negative declaration and approve the conditional‑use permit subject to the findings and conditions in Attachment A; the motion passed on a voice vote and the permit was approved. Conditions require implementation of the CEQA mitigation measures and standard building‑permit requirements.
The project now proceeds to the permit‑processing stage, where building permits and mitigation monitoring will be completed prior to construction.
