Planning Commission Staff Report
Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Development Services Technician II
Title
SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit #1277, initiated by AT&T Mobility, on behalf of The Church of the Nazarene of Merced, California, property owner. This application involves a request to construct a 55-foot-tall wireless communication tower in the form of a stealth mono-pine tree at 1717 E. Olive Avenue, generally located at the northeast corner of E. Olive Avenue and Parsons Avenue, with a General Plan designation of Low Density Residential (LD), and a Zoning classification of (R-1-6) *CONTINED PUBLIC HEARING*
ACTION: Continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission meeting of September 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
AT&T Mobility is requesting approval to construct a 55-foot-tall wireless communication tower in the form of a stealth mono-pine tree at 1717 E. Olive Avenue within a Low Density Residential (R-1-6) Zone. The project is located at the northeast corner of E. Olive Avenue and Parsons Avenue within a developed lot occupied by the Bear Creek Community Church of the Nazarene. 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 is referring this request to the Planning Commission, the land use permit required is now a conditional use permit. On July 3, 2024, the Planning Commission opened the public hearing, heard public testimony, and voted to continue the public hearing to August 7, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission continue this matter to the Planning Commission meeting of September 18, 2024.
Body
DISCUSSION
The applicant has requested this matter be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of September 18, 2024, to allow the applicant time to pursue alternative locations, including some City owned property, as potential location for the proposed cell tower.