Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPROJ-25-0004 ZA Approval Determination 01-05-26BUTTE COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR December 17, 2025 MINOR USE PERMIT PROJ-25-0004 (T-Mobile Wireless Telecommunications Co-Location Facility) A Minor Use Permit to install a co-location on and related ground equipment next to an existing wireless telecommunication co-location facility per BCC sec. 24-184(C). T-Mobile proposes to co-locate six antennas at approximately 180 feet heigh antenna centerline on the existing 202 feet and four inch tall South Feather Water & Power Agency lattice tower. A six- foot-high chain-link fence with 2 five-foot-high access gates would enclose a 10ft x15ft lease area/ concrete pad with two cabinets and related equipment. An ice bridge would run from atop the southern portion of the pad to the existing tower. Conduit would run via a proposed 5 foot-wide utility easement from the least area in a north east direction from the property to a nearby overhead utility pole with transformer within the county owned public right of way. APN: 073-310-002 I. The Zoning Administrator has considered the Initial Study and Negative Declaration in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and adopts the Negative Declaration with the following findings: A. An Initial Study was completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Said Study identified no potentially significant environmental effects and included no mitigation measures. B. The Zoning Administrator has considered the Negative Declaration, together with comments received during the review process. C. On the basis of the whole record before the Zoning Administrator, including the Initial Study and any comments received, there is no substantial evidence that the Minor Use Permit for T-Mobile., Planning Division File No. PROJ-25-0004, with conditions here attached, would have a significant effect on the environment. D. The Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the County, which is the Lead Agency. II. Finds that collection of fees pursuant to Fish and Wildlife Code Section 711.4 is required, prior to filing a Notice of Determination for the project, unless the project proponent provides verification from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that the project is exempt from the fee requirement. If a required fee is not paid for a project, the project will not be operative, vested or final and any local permits issued for the project will be invalid (Section 711.4 (c)(3)). III. The custodian of the record is the Department of Development Services. The location of the record is 7 County Center Drive, Oroville CA 95965. IV. Makes the following Minor Use Permit findings: A.The proposed use is allowed in the applicable zone. The project parcel is zoned P (Public) which allows for co-locations on existing towers that have not been subject to a County discretionary permit with approval of a Minor or Conditional Use Permit and compliance with Butte County Code (BCC) 24-184(C). B.The location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the proposed use will be compatible with the existing and future land uses in the vicinity of the subject property. The Project meets BCC requirements for Wireless Telecommunications co-location facilities and will be compatible with the existing and future public land use on the project site. The Project is compatible with existing and future residential, public, natural resource uses in the vicinity. C.The proposed use will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the County. The proposed six antennas, six radio units, and three antenna mounts will not exceed the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) accepted General Public limit, thus complying with said agency’s regulations for Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EME). No battery storage is proposed as part of the communications facility. The Butte County Planning Division has applied gain clearance for a Hazardous Materials Plan from the Environmental Health Division. A building permit is required for construction of the proposed communications facility, which will ensure the engineered structure will adhere to building safety standards in the California Building Code. D.The proposed use is properly located within the County and adequately served by existing or planned services and infrastructure. Implementation of the project would not require domestic water or wastewater treatment, or solid waste facilities. It would not be in conflict with any statutes or regulations relating to solid waste, nor would it employ equipment that would introduce interference into any system. The project site would be served by existing access via the gated north eastern gravel driveway off of Forbestown Road which is sufficient for the construction and maintenance of the proposed facility. The project would not increase the level of demand for fire protection service needed on the site because communication towers do not normally require such services. The proposal would not result in an increase in demand for school facilities in the area. The project would not result in any impacts to area parks and facilities. E.The size, shape, and other physical characteristics of the subject property are adequate to ensure compatibility of the proposed use with the existing and future land uses in the vicinity of the subject property. The project site is located in the northeastern portion of the parcel proposing to mount on the co-location on and build related ground equipment next to the existing tower. The subject parcel is located on the southside of Forbestown Road and outside of any municipal Sphere of Influence (SOI). Surrounding uses include rural residential uses, a mobile home park directly east, a water treatment plant use to the south, and an undeveloped timber production zoned parcel to the north. V. Finds the project to be consistent with BCC. Ch. 24, Article IV, Division 2, Telecommunication Facilities, based on a consistency review in the staff report. VI. Finds the Project to be substantially consistent with the applicable Goals and Policies of the Butte County General Plan based on a consistency review in the staff report. VII. Approves Minor Use Permit PROJ-25-0004 for T-Mobile., subject to the findings above and conditions in Exhibit “A”. A. The proposed use will comply with the applicable provisions of Butte County Code Chapter 24, Supplemental Use Regulations; Telecommunication Facilities and Conditional Use and Minor Use Permits. Conditions of approval have been applied to this project pursuant to the applicable requirements of Butte County Code Chapter 24. The project is in accord with the purposes of the P (Public) Zone and the Butte County General Plan designation of Public. Approved By: Date: Curtis Johnson, Assistant Director of Development Services/ Zoning Administrator 12/17/25