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County planner: wireless tower setbacks must match height; applicant seeks reduced setback near Highway 50
Summary
County planning explained that the Unified Development Code requires a setback equal to tower height (150 ft) for a proposed 150‑ft wireless tower; the applicant requested a reduced front‑yard setback to avoid interfering with ranch operations and to place the tower nearer Highway 50 to maintain coverage.
Joe Peoria, county planning, introduced a request tied to a special‑use permit (SUP‑26‑3) for a new 150‑foot freestanding wireless communications facility. Peoria said the Unified Development Code requires tower setbacks equivalent to tower height (150 feet for a 150‑ft tower). The applicant asked for a reduction because the property is a working cattle ranch where a 150‑ft setback would conflict with an existing well, cattle pens and access; moving the tower closer to Highway 50 was proposed to avoid those conflicts while preserving coverage along the highway.
The commissioners discussed the request alongside broader county matters, including wildfire response and reentry guidance. One commissioner emphasized safety and pointed residents to puebloemergency.info for reentry maps; the board also noted that the county fair will be held in a modified, scaled‑down format with some activities limited to 4‑H and FFA participants because the fairgrounds continue to house displaced animals. The variance request and associated special‑use permit remain under consideration pending review and any required findings.
