County set for vote on wireless tower proposal

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a proposal for a wireless communications tower on Avenue 5E north of County 14th Street when it meets Monday.

A petition against the proposed tower, up to 140 feet high, has been signed by 35 neighboring property owners, including 57 percent of adjacent neighbors. That triggers a requirement for the board to vote at least 4-1 for the project to be approved.

The county Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the plan during its December meeting. Opponents said the structure would disturb the rural atmosphere of the Yuma Mesa neighborhood.

The petition reads, in part, “We feel that a superhigh tower with 24/7 strobing lights will completely destroy the charm of our unique country neighborhood. The wireless communication facility represents a complete antithesis to what is here.”

John Mahon, the agent for applicant Michael B. Bean, sent an email to the county Jan. 29 requesting the vote be postponed for 30 days while he “works on some neighborhood outreach and a modified site plan.”

It will be up to the board to decide whether to hold or continue the public hearing.

The meeting will begin 9 a.m. Monday at the Board of Supervisors’ auditorium, 198 S. Main St., Yuma. The agenda also includes:

• A presentation on the county’s and jail district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs), and the audit results for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

• A post-election report for last year’s midterm primary and general elections.

• Appointment of Nohemy Echavarria as Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore from Feb. 4 through June 30.

• A work session to discuss and recommend staff action on potential changes to the county’s employee Pay for Performance program.

• A closed executive session to receive legal advice on pending litigation in the case of Tourtillott et al vs. Yuma County, filed by the families of three women killed in a 2013 traffic collision at Avenue D and County 9th Street.