Nevada County Sheriff Communication Tower
Summary
SCH Number
2026010282
Public Agency
Nevada County
Document Title
Nevada County Sheriff Communication Tower
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/12/2026
Document Description
Project to construct a 180’ tall self-supporting communications tower adjacent to the Regional Dispatch Center in Nevada City, Ca. This tower will be capable of carrying the load a several radio communications antennas, in various forms and sizes, to be used exclusively for Public Safety Radio Communications. he Nevada County Sheriffs Office desires to construct a 180' tall self-supporting communications tower adjacent to the Regional Dispatch Center in Nevada City, Ca. This tower will be capable of carrying the load a several radio communications antennas, in various forms and sizes, to be used exclusively for Public Safety Radio Communications. The Sheriffs Office recently made the decision to join the California State Interoperable Public Safety Radio System and with this move the Sheriff's Office needs to connect the radio consoles inside the dispatch center to the State's central radio core. These connections are most optimally made via microwave radio transmission and require a clear line-of-sight path between the dispatch center and the closest existing State Radio communications tower, which is located atop Banner Mountain in Nevada City. To achieve line of sight, the tower must be constructed to rise above the existing and surrounding tree line and must account for future tree growth. Through a competitive bid process, the Sheriffs Office has chosen a qualified vendor to both design and build this tower.
Contact Information
Name
Brian Foss
Agency Name
Nevada County Planning Department
Job Title
Planning Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Nevada
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Highway 49 and Kahele Court
Zip
95959
Total Acres
less than 1 acre
Parcel #
005050015
State Highways
Highway 49 and Highway 20
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303
Reasons for Exemption
The new tower would be located in a previously disturbed area on a developed site. No tree or vegetation removal would be required for construction of the tower. Minimal ground disturbance would be required and the building site is not located near any sensitive resources including water courses, steep slopes or mature natural vegetation. The tower will extend above the tree line, however, the tower will be mostly screened from public roadways and neighboring properties by the existing vegetation. There are no anticipated impacts to cultural resources or geological resources. No new traffic would be created as a result of the project. The project would enhance communication for emergency services and would be beneficial to Sheriff and City Police operations. Class 3: The project involves the construction of a new 180-foot-tall radio and telecommunications facility next to the existing Regional Dispatch Center in Nevada City. Pursuant to the Class 3 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption found in Article 19, Section 15303, a project may be exempted from CEQA if the project includes the constrnction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The new tower would be located in a previously disturbed area on a developed site. No tree or vegetation removal would be required for construction of the tower. Minimal ground disturbance would be required and the building site is not located near any sensitive resources including water courses, steep slopes or mature natural vegetation. The tower will extend above the tree line, however, the tower will be mostly screened from public roadways and neighboring properties by the existing vegetation. There are no anticipated impacts to cultural resources or geological resources. No new traffic would be created as a result of the project. The project would enhance communication for emergency services and would be beneficial to Sheriff and City Police operations. Therefore, the proposed project would not have a significant impact on the environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the Class 3 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption found in Article 19, Section 15303.
County Clerk
Nevada
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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