Board approves special use permit for a 150-foot wireless tower in Dome Valley

Senior planner Javier Barraza presented Special Use Permit case 2525-19 under section 601.03x of the Yuma County zoning ordinance to allow construction of a new wireless communication facility on a 20-acre parcel in the Dome Valley/Welton planning area. Barraza said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval subject to performance conditions including a disclosure statement and operational conditions such as lighting and FAA/FCC compliance.

Property owner Dawn Shepherd told the board she had worked with Vertical Bridge and State 48 for about 14 months, requested the tower be moved to the parcel’s corner to preserve farming, and estimated she would lose about one acre to the compound. A State 48 representative made himself available for technical questions. Supervisors asked about interference with agricultural communications and crop-dusting operations; staff and the applicant said the tower would operate on different frequencies and that most of the parcel would remain in agricultural use.

After a public hearing with no public speakers, a motion to approve the special use permit passed by voice vote. Conditions recorded by staff require the applicant to submit a YPD disclosure statement and comply with FAA and FCC marking, lighting and notification requirements; the permit also requires removal of the tower upon cessation of use.