The Lake County Planning Commission voted to find that a categorical CEQA exemption should not be applied to the Derna Group’s proposed colocation at 1135 Water Trough Road (PL25-15), and then denied the associated major use permit on grounds raised in public comment and the commission’s review of the record.

Max Stockton, an associate planner in the county’s Community Development Department, presented the Derna Group/T‑Mobile application to convert an existing lattice tower (current horn antennas extend to about 55 feet) into a colocation site. Stockton said staff initially determined the permit applicant was eligible for a categorical exemption because the work would refurbish an existing facility without expanding the project footprint. He noted tribal notification and that a protected bird nest on-site would be maintained and monitored.

Residents and property‑owner representatives urged the commission to require a full environmental review and criticized the use of a categorical exemption. Angela Amaral, on behalf of the Double Eagle Ranch Property Owners Association, said Cal Fire submitted comments on Sept. 23, 2024, and requested measures such as a fire‑suppression water tank, noted private-road weight limits (12 tons) and said the area’s private roads were not designed for commercial construction traffic. She said the site has been dormant for decades and asserted that changed site conditions—including year‑round residences and repeated evacuations—mean the exemption is inappropriate.

A licensed architect and multiple residents echoed concerns that adding new fuel sources (batteries and a generator) and restoring a long‑unused facility could increase risk and that road and evacuation constraints needed fuller study. Several commenters urged staff and the applicant to conduct a full initial study under CEQA rather than claim a categorical exemption.

Staff and counsel responded: staff said Cal Fire comments were extensive and that 42‑90 road and access requirements were met on the parcel and that staff proposed adding a 300‑foot clearance as a condition if the exemption were applied. County counsel described the Berkeley two‑part test for CEQA 'unusual circumstances' (both elements must be met to defeat an exemption) and warned about federal wireless‑siting time limits: "the shot clock date for this particular project is this Friday," counsel said, noting inaction could be deemed approval under federal rules.

Following debate, a commissioner moved and the commission voted to find the categorical exemption inapplicable on the record and to deny the major use permit PL25-15 for the Derna Group at 1135 Water Trough Road (APN 628-120-04), citing unresolved public‑safety and access issues in the hearing record. The clerk reminded the applicant and any interested party of the seven‑calendar‑day appeal period.

Next steps: the applicant may appeal the commission’s decision to the Board of Supervisors within seven calendar days.