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Board approves 125-foot "monopine" for Verizon after debate over disguise and timing
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Summary
The Pinal County Board granted a special-use permit for a 125-foot Verizon monopine at an unincorporated site after staff recommended 19 stipulations; neighbors and supervisors raised objections to the tree disguise rule, and the applicant said it needed quick approval to improve coverage.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors approved a special-use permit on April 1 for a 125-foot Verizon wireless facility designed as a monopine, following a planner’s presentation, public comment and debate among supervisors about camouflage requirements and project timing.
Planner Sam Amaya described the proposal as a 125-foot monopole with a 50-by-50-foot equipment compound that would improve coverage and capacity for residents and businesses in the area. "They are requesting to approve a special use permit to install a new 125-foot wireless facility for Verizon designed as a monopole monopine," Amaya said, noting staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval with 19 stipulations after one letter of opposition and public-participation requirements were met.
Speakers at the meeting — including dark-sky advocates and local residents — described both environmental and visual concerns. Sam Miller of the Southern Arizona Dark Skies Alliance, introduced during the item, urged protection of nighttime darkness and described ecological impacts of light pollution.
Several supervisors questioned the code requirement that certain towers be disguised as trees; Supervisor Miller said the monopine “does not look like a pine tree” and urged reconsideration of the code in the future. The applicant’s representative, Mary Weatherspoon of Centerline Communications, said the company is seeking to expedite construction to address local coverage complaints: "Their timeline is they're trying to facilitate this as soon as possible just to get coverage in the area," she said.
Supervisor Miller moved to approve the permit with the 19 stipulations; Supervisor Goodman seconded. The board voted to approve the special-use permit as presented with the 19 stipulations.
The board’s discussion flagged a lingering policy question: whether the county should amend zoning code language that requires certain camouflage treatments for telecommunication facilities. Several supervisors directed staff to consider code review on cell-tower design requirements at a future date.
