Planning commission backs rezoning for Ocean Course parcel to accommodate telecom site

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend rezoning a 0.76-acre portion of 924 Ocean Course Drive from R-2 (residential) to Parks & Recreation so that a telecommunications compound and future tower can be sited on property already used for golf course maintenance.

Staff explained the parcel (parcel ID 2651600185) is currently vacant but incorporates the Ocean Course golf maintenance yard and an existing telecommunications tower footprint. Staff said the rezoning would "bring it into conformity" with surrounding parks-and-recreation uses and accommodate planned communications upgrades to address coverage gaps.

Mark Primar, the applicant representative, said the proposal "brings it into conformity" and described the site as "about 35,000 square feet" and modest in size, noting the location has been used for maintenance since the late 1980s. Crown Castle engineer Jason Martin told commissioners that if the parcel is rezoned, "we can move forward with the zoning application of the tower" and described an equipment area roughly 24 by 60 feet in front of the existing AT&T shelter where additional carriers' gear would be sited.

Commissioners questioned how much of the maintenance yard the new compound would occupy and whether the layout would conflict with golf operations; the applicant said the site provides sufficient area and that further refinements would be made during the zoning and site-review process. Staff noted that rezoning recommendations go to town council for final action under code section 12-1-58.

A motion to approve case REZ26000002 carried unanimously; the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to town council for final consideration.