Committee backs 17-foot extension of concealed 'monopine' cell tower, requires clearer maintenance and landscaping conditions

The Grass Valley Development Review Committee voted May 12 to recommend Planning Commission approval of a 17-foot extension to an existing 85-foot concealed cell tower (a "monopine") at 142 Olympia Park Road, subject to modified conditions addressing concealment design, landscaping and maintenance.

Amy Wolfson, city planner, told the committee the proposal would raise the monopine to 102 feet and that, because the project meets the city’s "eligible facility" criteria, the city’s discretionary authority to deny the application is limited; staff said design and compatibility conditions remain within the committee’s authority. Philip Thomas, representing T‑Mobile, was present for the applicant.

Committee members and the applicant discussed the original 2016 approval’s concealment examples (labelled in the staff report as example 'a' and 'b'). Staff and members said the existing installation more closely matches a sparse 'b' treatment and emphasized a condition requiring a more natural taper and non-reflective finish. Philip Thomas explained that the concealment branches are bolted to the tower and would need replacement or additional brackets to achieve the fuller taper desired by the committee: "Each of those branches is literally bolted to the tower," he said, and agreed the company would look into replacing branches to achieve a natural taper.

Members also asked about decommissioning: Thomas said two existing T‑Mobile facilities (including antennas inside a flagpole and rooftop boxes) would likely be removed and that removed antennas and boxes would be taken out of service; remaining physical items would generally transfer to the property owner if left in place. Tower ownership (Vertical Bridge) was identified as responsible for long-term maintenance under permit conditions or lease terms.

During public comment, a Grass Valley resident raised environmental concerns about the plastic pine-needle concealment used on monopines, saying the plastic needles leave microplastic litter and that the landscaping promised in the 2016 approval (a berm and trees) was never implemented. The committee discussed options to make maintenance obligations clearer; staff agreed to modify conditions to make the tower owner’s responsibility to remove fallen plastic needles and perform inspections clearer in the recommended approval.

A motion to recommend Planning Commission approval with modified conditions passed (recorded tally announced in the hearing transcript: “Motion passes. 4 2 0, 1 absent”). The item is scheduled for the Planning Commission on May 19 for final action.