LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Planning Commission denied Verizon Wireless’s proposal to place a cell tower on a private lot in southwest Kelseyville.
In what was an abnormal turnout for the commission’s regular meeting on Thursday, a number of that community’s residents were present to voice their opposition towards the project.
“We all feel this is the wrong location,” Mark Borghesani of Kelseyville Lumber said. “I understand the need for it. We just need it in a different place.”
Borghesani was one of many speakers who own property close to the proposed site at 5660 Staheli Drive. Their repeated concern was that the 75-foot monopine would be an eyesore, thus driving down property values. Others cited noise problems, drainage issues, and the possibility of encouraging more companies to put towers in the area.
“It would mean such a degradation of our area,” a resident added.
Despite these issues, planning department staff recommended the project’s approval in its report to the commission.
According to that report, the proposal did not meet all of the criteria regarding telecommunications infrastructure in the Lake County General Plan. The plan states that visual impacts shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible by locating equipment away from residential and open areas, putting them on existing structures, or have it camouflaged.
The site was planned to be on the Southeast corner of the 17-acre lot, which the report said would “least likely to interfere with neighboring residences.” Additionally, staff found that another tall building would be too far outside the area with coverage area issues.
Beyond staff’s presentations, no other arguments were raised because representatives from Verizon Wireless did not attend the meeting. In fact, Community Development Director Richard Coel said he did not know its coverage objectives.
The public recommended that other alternatives be looked at beyond the four options that were reported.
“Let’s be solution focused and work with Verizon,” another resident added.
Once public comment was closed, the board quickly moved to deny the proposal.
The telecommunications company has seven calendar days to appeal the commission’s decision.
