The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended the Town Council approve a special use permit for construction of a cellular installation at the entry to Adero Canyon when it meets on Thursday evening.

The vote was 5-2 with Chairman Mike Archambault and Commissioner Amberleigh Dabrowski dissenting. They stated they do not believe the proposed tower fits with the character of the community, and is taller than the permitted height.

The proposal calls for the 34-foot faux water tower to go up adjacent to the subdivision entry house. The cellular equipment will be installed inside the water tower.

The gatehouse and water tower are designed to provide an “old west” flavor to the community entrance.

The proposed 34-foot height does exceed the 25-foot limit approved with the Adero Canyon PAD. The limit is subject to council waiver for cellular towers with a special use permit. The staff report indicates that the height is not expected to create undue physical or aesthetic impacts to neighboring property.

The proposal also does not meet “fall down” requirements for the property. This requirement calls for the height of the structure to remain within the limits of the property should the structure fail. This site does not allow for a 34-foot setback from property lines.

This again is subject to a council waiver, and staff notes that as a faux water tower the structure does meet setback requirements from the property lines.

The council will consider the permit request at its regular session on Thursday, April 20.