According to local officials who have approved the projects, Verizon will be permitted to install new communications towers in Ventura and Kings Counties. Ventura County Planning Director Kimberly Prillhart ruled in favor of Verizon on May 5, two weeks after the county’s planning division heard input from local residents. The Planning Commission of Hanford, the Kings county seat, voted 4-1 on April 12, to allow Verizon to construct a tower in Hidden Valley Park.
The 40-foot tower located in Ventura County will be disguised as a eucalyptus tree. Although the initial permit is for a height of 40 feet, the Ventura County Star said, “federal rules indicate the company could apply for a subsequent permit to increase the height to 60 feet.” For now, the public has yet to appeal the decision, although they have voiced strong opposition in recent hearings.
Meanwhile, residents three hours to the north in Hanford, CA. are already appealing the Planning Commission’s positive vote for the 75-foot tower. The appeal is set for the next council meeting on May 17. Residents are concerned about potential health risks from living close to the tower, even though no risks have been proven in expert studies.
As Brian Baca, the Ventura County Planning Division’s commercial and industrial section manager said, “Cell towers are everywhere. Telecommunications is big and everybody wanting to watch TV on their phone and things like that means a constant upgrade of existing towers and in some cases new towers being installed to meet coverage objectives.”
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