Planning Commission approves Verizon monopine at Traffic Way; RF compliance affirmed by engineer

The Atascadero Planning Commission on May 21 granted a conditional‑use permit and a height modification to allow a 63‑foot monopine telecommunications facility on a leased portion of 2605 Traffic Way. The project includes a 9‑foot masonry enclosure for equipment cabinets, a generator and network gear, perimeter landscaping, and a simulated tree tower design intended to blend with neighborhood vegetation.

Staff said the compound would sit approximately 230–250 feet from nearby sensitive uses (a preschool and the synagogue on the same parcel), and therefore presented photo simulations, a site plan and an RF‑compliance report prepared by a qualified engineer. Planning staff reminded the commission that federal law and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) govern radio‑frequency (RF) emissions and that local land‑use authority is limited: the city can consider siting, screening, aesthetics and local development standards but must presume RF compliance if the applicant submits an RF analysis showing standards are met.

Applicant representatives said they conducted neighborhood outreach, responded to written questions and offered to meet; they reported that some neighbors withdrew requests for a community meeting after receiving staff and applicant responses. RF engineer David Wattowski (on‑site) stated to the commission that the proposed facility complies with FCC/IEEE exposure limits at ground and nearby occupiable locations and reported no RF safety concerns for the proposed design.

Commissioners discussed siting and screening and asked procedural questions about outreach and maintenance. One commissioner humorously asked about decorating the monopine for holidays; staff and applicant noted standard limits (no airport/airfield beacon requirements) and emphasized that any lighting or encroaching elements would require separate approvals. The commission approved the CUP and the height modification 7–0.

Ending: Approval includes required screening, the masonry wall and landscaping as shown in the approved plans; the applicant will proceed with subsequent permit submittals and must comply with the RF compliance paperwork on file.