Safety Tower/ FirstNet NLAKE01 requests discretionary approval of Major Use Permit (UP 23-07) for the construction of an 80-foot-tall wireless communication facility. The facility will provide AT&T customers with service. In the event of an incident, emergency communications take priority, and bandwidth is reallocated to accommodate stable emergency communications. The tower will be designed to look like a pine tree, commonly known as a monopine cellular (cell) tower. The project will include 15 antennas, 15 radios, three surge suppressors, three antenna mounts, within a 35’ x 35’ lease compound area that will contain equipment needed to support the tower. The project includes a battery backup system providing approximately eight hours of power. Additionally, a backup generator with a 190-gallon diesel fuel tank is included, capable of supplying power for approximately 3-4 days. The lease area will be enclosed by a 6’ tall chain link fence with screening. The anticipated construction duration is between 90 to 110 days, and work would occur Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Site work is limited to establishing the 35’ by 35’ equipment enclosure area, installing tower support equipment, improving the driveway and road leading to the tower site, and constructing the tower. The tower would be unmanned, with maintenance requiring between one and four annual trips.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following actions:
A. Adopt Initial Study (IS 23-14) for Major Use Permit (UP 23-07) with the following findings:
1. Potential impacts to Aesthetics (AES) can be mitigated to ‘less than significant’ levels with the inclusion of mitigation measure AES-1 through AES-3.
2. Potential impacts to Air Quality (AQ) can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measure AQ-1.
3. Potential environmental impacts related to Biological Resources (BIO) can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures BIO-1 through BIO-4.
4. Potential environmental impacts related to Cultural Resources (CUL) can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures CUL-1 and CUL-3.
5. Potential impacts to Geological and Soil Resources (GEO) can be mitigated to less than significant levels through mitigation measure GEO-1 through GEO-3.
6. Potential impacts to Hydrology and Water Quality (HYD) can be mitigated to less than significant with the inclusion of mitigation and measures GEO-1 through GEO-3.
7. Potential environmental impacts related to Tribal Cultural Resources (TCR) can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures TCR-1 and TCR-2.
8. Potential environmental impacts related to Wildfire (WILD) can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures WILD-1 through WILD-3.
9. This project is consistent with land uses in the vicinity.
10. This project is consistent with the Lake County General Plan, Lakeport Area Plan and Lake County Zoning Ordinance.
B. Approve Major Use Permit (UP 23-07) with the following findings:
1. That the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the use applied for will not under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed use or be detrimental to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the County.
2. That the site for the project is adequate in size, shape, location, and physical characteristics to accommodate the type of use and level of development proposed.
3. That the streets, highways and pedestrian facilities are reasonably adequate to safely accommodate the specific proposed use with mitigation measure added.
4. That there are adequate public or private services, including but not limited to fire protection, water supply, sewage disposal, and police protection to serve the project.
5. That the project is in conformance with the applicable provisions and policies of this Code, the Lake County General Plan, the Lakeport Area Plan, and the Lake County Zoning Ordinance.
6. That no violation of Chapters 5, 17, 21, 23 or 26 of the Lake County Code currently exists on the property, unless the purpose of the permit is to correct the violation, or the permit relates to a portion of the property which is sufficiently separate and apart from the portion of the property in violation so as not to be affected by the violation from a public health, safety or general welfare basis.
7. That the project meets all requirements found within Articles 5, 27, 34, 36, 37, 41, 51.4 and 71, and complies with all applicable Plans adopted by Lake County.