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Tehama County planning commission approves Verizon ‘monopine’ near Woodson Bridge to close coverage gap
Summary
The Tehama County Planning Commission on May 7 approved a use permit for a 100-foot stealth “monopine” cell tower proposed by Verizon to improve 4G/5G coverage and emergency communications near the Woodson Bridge; staff recommended a categorical exemption and commissioners voted to approve after a presentation and public comment supporting safety benefits.
The Tehama County Planning Commission voted May 7 to approve a use permit allowing Verizon Wireless to construct a 100-foot (functional height) monopine-style cell tower near the Woodson Bridge on Squaw Hill Road.
Planning staff recommended the permit and asked the commission to adopt a categorical exemption, saying the project’s small footprint and previously disturbed site met the county’s exemption criteria. Planning staff member Greg Redeker told the commission the proposed facility would accommodate multiple carriers, include a 30-by-30-foot ground equipment enclosure and meet federal FCC radio-frequency safety standards; Redeker said the proposed operation is “around 7% of the allowed federal standard.”
The applicant’s representative, Chris Roth of Centerline, said the site was chosen to bridge an existing coverage and capacity gap along State Route 99 and Interstate 5 near Corning and to improve cellular service for residents, visitors and emergency responders in an area Redeker described as high fire severity. Roth presented photo simulations and coverage maps showing current 4G/5G coverage versus predicted coverage after the site is built and requested the commission recommend approval subject to the conditions in the staff report.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on alternatives and independent verification. A commissioner asked whether the county had received independent RF-engineer verification of the claimed coverage gap; Redeker said the county had not required independent verification and that, under the code, applicants attest to the information in their applications. The applicant said alternative locations and colocation opportunities were considered but that nearby towers were occupied or otherwise unsuitable and that engineers concluded the proposed site would address the documented capacity and coverage problems.
Rob Burrows, District 1 supervisor, spoke in support during public comment, saying improved coverage would aid 9-1-1 access and emergency warnings for riverbank and recreational areas where visitors and residents may encounter delayed emergency response. “This allows us to go ahead and provide that safety net,” Burrows said, urging approval.
After discussion the commission voted to find the project categorically exempt and then to approve the use permit subject to the findings and conditions in attachments G and H of the staff report dated May 7, 2026. The chair announced the motions carried with no recorded opposition.
The planning director closed with scheduling notes: the commission will meet May 21 and June 4, will not meet June 18, and will next meet July 2; staff warned the May 21 agenda includes a Cottonwood-area item likely to draw robust public participation. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
Sources: Tehama County Planning Commission meeting transcript, May 7, 2026.
