SAN MARCOS — Two weeks after residents decried the proposed extension of a cell-tower permit in San Elijo Hills, the San Marcos City Council unanimously approved a cell tower along the city’s eastern edge.
The council voted in favor of the 35-foot cell tower and companion ground equipment and 347-square-foot equipment enclosure, which will be erected just north of the intersection of Nordahl Road and Center Drive on the grounds of the North County Baptist Church.
No speakers opposed the project, and the council quickly approved it.
The monopole, which will be owned and operated by Verizon Wireless, will be disguised as a tree, similar to one currently onsite owned by AT&T.
According to the staff report, Verizon explored co-locating its equipment on the AT&T tower, but the co-location position was too low on the pole and it wouldn’t provide the coverage intended with the additional antennas.
Verizon initially applied for the cell tower in July 2014. City officials said issues with the location delayed the project. The Planning Commission unanimously approved it on Feb. 22.
