PLN190052 (Use Permit):  OWNER:  Callan-Krieger Family Trust.  APPLICANT:  New Cingular Wireless PCS dba AT&T Mobility – Contact: Sara King.  LOCATION:  32005 Airline Highway Paicines CA 95043.  APN:  028-130-026.  This Item was continued by the Planning Commission from May 20, 2020 to a date certain of July 15, 2020. REQUEST: A Use Permit to establish a new unmanned telecommunications facility consisting of a 30’ x 30’ AT&T lease area with 12 panel antennas (three sets of four antennas) and 24 remote radio heads or units installed on a proposed 100’ tall monopole tower. In addition, the proposed project will be installing an eight foot by eight foot by ten foot high modular building with walk-in communication equipment closet and backup generator within the proposed AT&T lease area. GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION:  Rangeland (R).  ZONING DISTRICT:  Agricultural Rangeland (AR).  ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:  Categorically Exempt, per CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(d) (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures). PLANNER: Arielle Goodspeed (agoodspeed@cosb.us)

The applicants propose to install a new unmanned telecommunication facility consisting of a 30’ x 40’ AT&T lease area with twelve panel antennas (three sets of four antennas) and 24 remote radio heads or units installed on a proposed 100’ tall monopole tower. In addition, the proposed project will be installing an eight foot by eight foot by 10 foot high modular building walk-in communication equipment closet and backup generator within the proposed AT&T lease area.

New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC d/b/a AT&T Mobility ("AT&T") has a significant gap in its service coverage near the interchange of Highway 25 and Highway 146 in Paicines, California.

The primary objective of the project is to improve Firstnet emergency service coverage both for the local rural residences as well as for tourists and passing motorists traveling through the area along both nearby highways., The project will also provide improved cellular coverage and Wi-Fi services to the area. This location was selected after determining that there was no currently existing towers in the area upon which to collocate and that this property has the highest available elevation and would provide the best coverage to the region. The proposed facility is the least intrusive means to fill the significant gap of coverage in the area.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review the staff report and review the attached draft resolution, which includes findings and conditions of approval.  Staff further recommends that the Planning Commission make the findings included in the resolution and adopt the resolution to approve Use Permit PLN190052, subject to the conditions of approval found in the resolution.