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Planning commissioners briefed on proposed telecom ordinance; public advocates push for notification, lower heights and engineering certification
Summary
Public commenters and advocacy groups urged the planning commission to require mailed notice within 2,500 feet, reduce maximum monopole heights, remove exemptions and require engineer certification for poles; staff said the draft will be coordinated with county counsel and noticed for public hearing (target May 21).
Public comment at the Plumas County Planning Commission on April 16 included multiple recommendations aimed at the draft telecommunications ordinance now before staff and county counsel.
Patrick of Sierra Telecommunications (Speaker 3) referenced federal and California precedent, noting a 2019 FCC order and subsequent California court interpretation treating small wireless facilities (roughly under 50 feet) as subject to objective standards. "50 feet or under is what's considered a small wireless facility," he told commissioners.
An advocacy speaker, Josh Hart of Feather River Action, urged the county to add neighbor notifications, lower allowable tower heights and require engineering certification. Hart read a list of desired changes, saying, "We're urging a requirement that a mailed notification be sent to residents and landowners within 2,500 feet of any proposed wireless facilities" and recommending maximum heights below what the county had proposed.
Commissioners noted federal consistency concerns and asked staff to work with county counsel. Staff said the ordinance package will return for a publicly noticed hearing and indicated a target date of May 21 for the public hearing, pending review by county counsel and completion of tribal consultation on notification preferences.
No regulatory change was adopted at the meeting; staff said it would prepare ordinance and resolution language and return it to the commission once county counsel and tribal outreach are complete.
