Planning commission approves 85‑foot 'palm' wireless facility at Oates Lane
May 06, 2026 | Coachella City, Riverside County, California
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The Coachella Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow APC Towers to construct an 85‑foot wireless communications facility designed to resemble a palm tree at 49640 Oates Lane.
Anna Fernandez, a Development Services management analyst, said the CUP (CUP #389) would expand wireless service in the area and that staff recommended approval of Resolution PC‑2026‑14 after finding the project met required findings and CEQA exemptions for small structures (Section 15303) and infill development (Section 15332).
Staff noted the project site includes unpermitted structures and outstanding site improvements; Condition 38 requires the applicant and property owner to address those code violations and to remove or legalize unpermitted structures as part of the approval process.
The applicant, appearing via Zoom, said the new monopalm is needed to replace or replicate existing coverage following decommissioning of a larger nearby tower and that the 85‑foot height is intended to maintain current service levels rather than provide new additional capacity.
Public commenter James Rodriguez said he did not oppose the tower per se but objected to routine waivers of height limits and urged the commission to require documented hardships rather than wholesale use of waivers. “If the standards were codified to protect the community’s aesthetic and safety, then why is a waiver being granted to a private entity without a documented hardship?” he asked.
Commissioners asked staff to confirm that the applicant bore the burden to show the municipal code would otherwise prohibit service under federal law and to identify if any preexisting towers exceeded the current height limits; staff confirmed prior approvals included taller facilities that predated the new code.
A motion to approve the staff recommendation carried unanimously, with the commission making clear that no building permits will be issued until site code violations are addressed and required architectural review is completed.
Resolution PC‑2026‑14 and the CUP will be reflected in permit conditions and building permit review.
Anna Fernandez, a Development Services management analyst, said the CUP (CUP #389) would expand wireless service in the area and that staff recommended approval of Resolution PC‑2026‑14 after finding the project met required findings and CEQA exemptions for small structures (Section 15303) and infill development (Section 15332).
Staff noted the project site includes unpermitted structures and outstanding site improvements; Condition 38 requires the applicant and property owner to address those code violations and to remove or legalize unpermitted structures as part of the approval process.
The applicant, appearing via Zoom, said the new monopalm is needed to replace or replicate existing coverage following decommissioning of a larger nearby tower and that the 85‑foot height is intended to maintain current service levels rather than provide new additional capacity.
Public commenter James Rodriguez said he did not oppose the tower per se but objected to routine waivers of height limits and urged the commission to require documented hardships rather than wholesale use of waivers. “If the standards were codified to protect the community’s aesthetic and safety, then why is a waiver being granted to a private entity without a documented hardship?” he asked.
Commissioners asked staff to confirm that the applicant bore the burden to show the municipal code would otherwise prohibit service under federal law and to identify if any preexisting towers exceeded the current height limits; staff confirmed prior approvals included taller facilities that predated the new code.
A motion to approve the staff recommendation carried unanimously, with the commission making clear that no building permits will be issued until site code violations are addressed and required architectural review is completed.
Resolution PC‑2026‑14 and the CUP will be reflected in permit conditions and building permit review.
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