URGENT UPDATE: Verizon has just proposed replacing two existing cell towers with taller, 21-foot towers near Highway 101, a move aimed at improving connectivity for commuters along the Marin-Sonoma border. The Marin County planning department is reviewing this proposal, which could significantly enhance cellphone service in the area.
The new towers will be located on a 465-acre property owned by the Corda ranching family in unincorporated Novato. Chris Durand, a contractor for Verizon, explained that the current steel towers will be replaced with slightly taller models in the same location, which is referred to as a “popsicle stick” rather than a traditional tower. This change is expected to boost service for travelers navigating this busy highway.
The application seeks to not only replace the towers but also upgrade six antennas and install new equipment. According to Kristin Drumm, a county planner overseeing the project, the original wireless facility was approved back in 1997. Drumm stated that the site is clearly visible from the highway, just north of the Redwood Landfill and Recycling Center.
“This project will improve service,” Drumm emphasized, highlighting its importance for the local community. The existing infrastructure consists of two light gray poles topped with rectangular cell arrays, enclosed by chain-link fencing. Durand reassured the public that the facility is distanced from residential areas, stating it is surrounded by “many hundreds of acres of land.”
Verizon’s plan is crucial for enhancing signal coverage along Highway 101, with coverage reaching between 2 to 5 miles, depending on the signal frequency and terrain. A radio frequency report submitted with the application indicates that while exposure levels could be concerning within 76 feet of the antennas, they will remain below the Federal Communications Commission’s established safety limits beyond that distance.
Drumm confirmed that the county has a 150-day window to decide on the permit application unless further information is requested. Currently, the project is under review, and Drumm has sought additional details from Verizon. No public hearing on the matter has been scheduled yet, but she anticipates that the project could receive approval as early as March 2024.
This proposal comes at a critical time when reliable cellphone service is increasingly essential for commuters and residents alike. As the county weighs the benefits of improved connectivity against community concerns, the outcome of this application could have lasting implications for the region.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
