“Harrumph” Says Pahrump

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UPDATE The Pahrump Valley stretches from southwestern Nevada into neighboring California in a region dominated by the Mojave Desert. Digital connectivity in the area can reportedly be iffy. However, as the Pahrump Valley Times reports, Verizon’s suggestion to erect a 125-foot cell tower in Bell Vista Avenue was met with unanimous disapproval by the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission (RPC).

Avoiding mention of health fears as a reason to deny the requested conditional use permit, the RPC instead pointed to zoning concerns as the main point of contention. DW Tower LLC, the developer working with Verizon, sent a representative to the hearing to contest the RPC’s decision against the cell tower.

“That height is the reason that wireless communications facilities almost always need Conditional Use or Special Use Permits (CUP),” argued DW Tower spokesperson, Reg Destree. “It’s a very unique use…. I don’t feel that was a proper finding.” Granting a CUP would be needed to give Verizon clearance to build a 5G cell tower above the current height restriction of 48 feet.

Destree also challenged the RPC’s finding that a cell tower was out of step with the Pahrump Master Plan and said that the area was already largely a commercial zone [CM]. “I’m not going to argue that there is residential in the area,” he stated. “This is, however, a CM zone and has been for decades. It’s seven and a half acres and there are about 3.5 acres of CM to the west as well. There’s a heavy commercial use next door and to consider this a residential area seems a little disingenuous.”

“I don’t think anyone really questions whether Verizon needs coverage out there,” Destree told the Times. “Verizon needs coverage throughout a lot of the valley here. The real question is, is this the most appropriate location for a site, based on the zoning requirements we have?”

After further discussion, which included comments from neighbors complaining about aesthetics and phantom health concerns, the RPC upheld its earlier ruling against Verizon. Pahrump may instead see a cell tower on the grounds of the Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Station #4, which Destree said already hosts a tower and could be a candidate for additional equipment.

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