Planning Commission Staff Report
Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Development Services Technician II
Title
SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit #25-0006, initiated by AT&T Mobility, on behalf of The City of Merced, property owner. This application involves a request to construct a 55-foot-tall wireless communication tower in the form of a stealth mono-palm tree at 3400 Parsons Avenue, generally located at the northeast corner of Parsons Avenue and Brookdale Drive, with a General Plan designation of Open Space (OP-S), and a Zoning classification of (R-1-6) *PUBLIC HEARING*
ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Environmental Review #25-0002 (Categorical Exemption)
2) Conditional Use Permit #25-0006
SUMMARY
AT&T Mobility is requesting approval to construct a 55-foot-tall wireless communication tower in the form of a stealth mono-palm tree at 3400 Parsons Avenue (Attachment D) within a Low Density Residential (R-1-6) Zone. The project is located at the northeast corner of Parsons Avenue and Brookdale Drive within the City’s Rahilly Park. Per Merced Municipal Code Land Use Table 20.58-2 - Review Procedures for Support Towers for Wireless Communication Facilities, a site plan review is required for stealth facilities within an R-1 Zone that are over 140% of the maximum height allowed within this zone. However, as described in the background section of this report, because the Site Plan Review Committee April 3, 2025, referred this request to the Planning Commission, the land use permit required is now a conditional use permit. Staff is recommending approval of this application subject to the conditions contained in the Staff Report.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0002 (Categorical Exemption), and Conditional Use Permit #25-0006, including the adoption of the Draft Resolution at Attachment A, subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the findings/considerations in Exhibit B.
Body
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The applicant is requesting to construct a mono-palm wireless communication facility at 3400 Parsons Avenue, in Rahilly Park. The proposed facility would include a 55-foot-tall mono-palm tower along with the necessary ancillary cabinet ground equipment enclosed by an 8-foot-tall sound-proof fence. The mono-palm tower would be located on the northern portion of the parcel adjacent to an existing grouping of palm trees. The proposed mono-palm would be 55 feet tall, however, the branches of the mono-palm would extend out another five feet to a height of 60 feet. The antennas on the pole would be mounted at a maximum height of 53 feet. According to the applicant, the height is necessary to provide coverage to service the area. The mono-palm would be designed to blend in with the surrounding trees.
Surrounding uses as noted in Attachment B.
|
Surrounding Land |
Existing Use of Land |
City Zoning Designation |
City General Plan Land Use Designation |
|
North |
Single-Family Residential |
Low Density Residential (R-1-6) |
Low Density Residential (LD) |
|
South |
Single-Family Residential |
Low Density Residential (R-1-6) |
Low Density Residential (LD) |
|
East |
Single-Family Residential |
Low Density Residential (R-1-6) |
Low Density Residential (LD) |
|
West |
Single-Family Residential |
Low Density Residential (R-1-6) |
Low Density Residential (LD) |
Background
The property is zoned Low Density Residential (R-1-6) and currently is Rahilly Park.
Rahilly Park is a neighborhood park and spans approximately 28.91acres and is on the east end of the Black Rascal Bike Path.
The initial application for the stealth mono-palm telecommunication tower came in as Site Plan Review Application #25-0001 and was heard at the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting of April 3, 2025. A public hearing notice was posted in Merced County Times and mailed to immediately adjacent property owners as required by MMC 20.68.050(E). Staff received 3 emails in opposition to the project. During the site plan review public hearing, there were 5 speakers from the audience in opposition to the project. The Site Plan Review Committee voted to refer Environmental Review #25-0002 and Site Plan Review #25-0001 to the Planning Commission for final review and decision per MMC 20.68.050 (C)(2).
Findings/Considerations
Please refer to Exhibit B of the Draft Planning Commission Resolution at Attachment A.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Planning Commission Resolution
B. Location Map
C. Overall Site Plan
D. Elevation
E. AT&T Photo Simulation
F. AT&T Coverage Map - 3 Miles Radius
G. Radio Frequency Emission Compliance Report
H. Alternative Sites Analysis
I. Draft Site Plan Resolution
J. Public Comments from Site Plan Review Meeting of April 3, 2025, and Planning Commission Meeting of May 7, 2025
K. Public Hearing Notice Map for CUP #25-0006
L. Categorical Exemption
M. Presentation