Crown Castle Manzanita Diggins Drive Communication Facility – PLN22-0178, CUP22-0005
Summary
SCH Number
2026031208
Public Agency
Nevada County
Document Title
Crown Castle Manzanita Diggins Drive Communication Facility – PLN22-0178, CUP22-0005
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/27/2026
Document Description
The project is an application for a Conditional Use Permit for a telecommunication facility at 15102 Manzanita Diggins Drive, Nevada City, CA 95959. The project will include a communication tower designed as a ninety foot (90') tall faux pine tree (monopine) with antennas at a height of eighty feet (80'). The monopine is proposed to replace an existing 75-foot-tall communication tower and will be within a new 10 foot by 10 foot lease area on an already disturbed/developed portion of the parcel. The existing ground equipment will remain in the same location in a configuration similar to what exists currently. 35 feet of trenching is proposed for utilities to connect the new monopine to the existing ground equipment. The site will be accessed by an existing paved driveway.
Contact Information
Name
David Nicholas
Agency Name
Nevada County
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Lisa Elliott
Agency Name
Streamline Engineering for Crown Castle
Job Title
Site Acquisition Specialist
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Nevada
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
California State Highway 20
Zip
95959
Total Acres
0.01
Parcel #
036-020-027
State Highways
20
Township
16 N
Range
9 E
Section
6 T
Other Location Info
15102 Manzanita Drive, Nevada City, CA 95959
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Categorical Exemption. 15302 – Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
The Class 2 categorical exemption (15302) is for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. In particular, 15302 includes “replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.”
The project is for the replacement of a 75 foot tall communication tower with a 90 foot tall communication tower disguised as a pine tree. The replacement tower will be in approximately the same location as the original tower and will not create additional disturbance. The existing ground equipment will be used by the new tower. The new tower will have the same purpose as the old tower.
CEQA guidelines Section 15300.2 lists exceptions where a categorical exemption such as 15302 would not apply and states “a categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances.” As discussed below, there are no unusual circumstances associated with the project.
The monopine design would camouflage the tower to blend with the surrounding forested landscape and represents an aesthetic improvement over the existing non-camouflaged tower. The tower would be located near existing utility infrastructure, screened by surrounding vegetation, and would not be placed on an exposed ridgeline. No lighting on the tower is proposed unless required by the FAA.
A biological inventory determined the site consists of disturbed land with no observed special-status species, wetlands, or jurisdictional waters. There are protected oak trees near the tower, but the oaks will not be impacted. The project would not result in significant biological impacts, and standard nesting bird protection measures would apply if construction occurs during the nesting season. A cultural resource survey found no archaeological or historic resources within the project area; conditions of approval would address unanticipated discoveries.
The project would comply with County noise standards, as no permanent noise-generating equipment is proposed. The tower meets all applicable setback requirements, including the 100 percent height setback from residentially zoned parcels. Building permits and compliance with the California Building Code would be required.
The site is located approximately 3.7 miles from the Nevada County Airport and outside the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan area. Radio frequency emissions would be regulated by the FCC, and a site compliance report demonstrates compliance with FCC radio frequency exposure limits with the installation of required warning signage.
The project is consistent with the Public zoning district, applicable Nevada County Code requirements, and General Plan policies supporting reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
County Clerk
Nevada
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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