Wireless telecommunications code standards
Summary
The commission's January denial of a 100-foot cell tower near downtown Hollister is being reexamined because the new county counsel doubts the legal findings will survive an appeal — and the applicant has already appealed. A fresh vote is set for March 18.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
A failed denial on appeal could mean litigation costs for the county; the tower itself would be privately built on a leased 2,500-square-foot site.
Wireless customers near the site would gain coverage if approved; neighbors who opposed the tower await the re-vote.
Neighbors who opposed the tower could see the denial reversed; if the denial fails on appeal, the county could face legal costs.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Planning Commission - Aug 19, 2026
The commission has been asking for an update on Chapter 7.11 cell tower standards; the discussion got postponed to September because the agenda item wasn't ready.
Planning Commission - Apr 15, 2026
An 82-foot Verizon monopole near Hollister drew pushback over its industrial look and disputed photo simulations. Commissioners want better stealth designs, a co-location inventory, and an updated wireless ordinance — with a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors set for May 12.
Planning Commission - Mar 18, 2026
Commissioners have begged for two and a half years to update the county's wireless ordinance so towers could look like water towers or windmill-style structures instead of fake trees, but the county hasn't acted. They approved the Verizon tower anyway, and added a future agenda item to push the Board of Supervisors for an ordinance update plus data on tower co-location countywide.
Planning Commission - Feb 18, 2026
The commission's January denial of a 100-foot cell tower near downtown Hollister is being reexamined because the new county counsel doubts the legal findings will survive an appeal — and the applicant has already appealed. A fresh vote is set for March 18.
Planning Commission - Jan 21, 2026
The commission again rejected a monopine-style tower, reflecting long-running frustration with tower aesthetics and an outdated wireless ordinance. Staff will draft findings for denial.
Related development
PLN250072 — 2200 San Juan Hollister Road wireless facility
The tower fight isn't over — neighbors and wireless users alike await the March 18 re-vote.
PLN250072 — 100-foot monopine wireless communication tower
Verizon users west of Hollister should see fewer dropped calls and better speeds; neighbors get a 100-foot fake pine tree in the viewshed.
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