City council OKs Verizon cell tower with conditions

The Portola City Council held a public hearing last evening, Oct. 26, on the fate of the 133-foot Verizon tower proposed to be located near Eastern Plumas Health Care. A conditional use permit had already been approved for the project, but three individuals appealed the decision.

City Councilman Bill Powers opened the public hearing at 6 p.m. and at approximately 11:25 p.m., he and his fellow council members voted 3-0 to deny the appeals and add another condition to the permit. Two city council members had recused themselves from the matter.

Passionate arguments were made by those opposed to the tower, while a number of individuals spoke in favor. Ultimately federal law trumped any sentiments the council members shared with the appellants, and the ruling was rendered. (A more in depth story will be published later today or tomorrow.)