LAKE COUNTY— The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a permit extension for a somewhat controversial telecommunications tower.
Residents voiced concerns about fire danger and a desire for another location for the tower, as well as frustration about a lack of progress on the project. The county approved a major use permit for the developer, Horizon Tower L.P. II, two years ago, and the developer requested a one-year extension.
A representative for the developer said the tower was expected to be up and running with tenants in place in 6-8 months, in response to a question from Supervisor Jessica Pyska.
The use permit allows for an 85-foot communications tower for the use of up to four telecommunications service providers at 9475 Mojave Trail in Kelseyville.
Following public comment, Chairman Bruno Sabatier said he was wavering between voting for or against the extension. Sabatier was the last to cast his vote and paused before doing so.
“I want to see developers take action and not just receive a ‘yes’ and sit on it,” he said. “However, on the other side, my denying the extension completely wastes staff time by now making them start all over on something that’s already been approved.”
Pyska said she didn’t see any grounds to deny an extension, as the developer had submitted what was required by the county. She said there was a process for residents to make complaints about properties through code enforcement. Supervisor Moke Simon made the motion in favor of an extension, which was seconded by Pyska.
One resident voiced concern about the site being located in a high fire danger area and in close proximity to thousands of homes. Sabatier stopped that speaker and several others in the midst of their comments, telling them to stay on the topic of an extension and not the project itself, which had already been approved.
Another member of the public questioned why it had taken two years to get to this point. He said he thought the request for an extension should be denied and that the developer should look at another location for the tower.
Martha Mincer, a member of the public, asked what would happen if the supervisors didn’t approve an extension. Mincer said the tower could benefit small businesses in the Kelseyville area and attract people to the area who were able to work from home.
Public Works Director Scott De Leon said the applicant would have to re-apply for a permit and go through the same process again with the county if the supervisors voted in opposition.
