San Mateo County approves two cellular tower permit renewals amid virtual meeting

In a recent zoning hearing held on August 18, 2022, the San Mateo County planning and building department addressed several key issues, primarily focusing on the renewal of conditional use permits for cellular telephone tower equipment. The meeting, led by Zoning Hearing Officer Joel Leclair, was conducted virtually due to ongoing COVID-19 safety measures.

The agenda included two significant items related to the renewal of permits for cellular facilities. The first permit, requested by Caltrans and represented by Epic Wireless, pertains to a cellular tower located within a Caltrans right-of-way along the west side of Highway 280. This renewal will allow the facility to operate for an additional ten years without any physical changes to the equipment.

The second item involved a similar renewal for a facility operated by T-Mobile, located on property owned by the City and County of San Francisco. This permit also allows for continued operation for ten years without modifications. Notably, a corrected staff report was issued prior to the meeting to clarify the ownership details of the site.

Despite the absence of representatives from T-Mobile and the City and County of San Francisco during the meeting, Leclair proceeded to conditionally approve both permits. He emphasized the importance of these facilities for maintaining communication and safety in the area. The approval is subject to the condition that the absent parties can raise any objections to the findings and conditions outlined in the staff reports.

Public participation was minimal, with no attendees expressing a desire to elevate the items to a public hearing. The meeting concluded with a reminder that any appeals against the approved items must be submitted in writing by September 1, 2022, along with a fee of $616.35.

This meeting highlights the ongoing efforts of San Mateo County to adapt to the demands of modern communication infrastructure while navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. The conditional approvals reflect a commitment to ensuring that essential services remain operational, even in the absence of direct public input.