Pine Mountain Communications Vault Replacement
Summary
SCH Number
2022080117
Public Agency
Sonoma County
Document Title
Pine Mountain Communications Vault Replacement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/5/2022
Document Description
The County of Sonoma has an existing telecommunication site facility at 34333 Pine Mountain Road, Cloverdale, APN 117-240-049 and -051, which site is located on the south flank of Pine Mountain, approximately 4.5 miles northeast of downtown Cloverdale, Sonoma County, California. The County proposes to replace an existing vault at the site with a new more fire resistant vault. Upon completion of construction and installation of the new vault, the County will deconstruct and remove the original vault.
The County’s telecommunications system, which includes a communications towers and equipment, supports first responder agencies, public safety fire cameras, and other important countywide radio services. This system is managed by the County’s Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications Bureau (T-Comm).
The site is accessed along a single-lane, gravel roadway that intersects Pine Mountain Road to the southeast. The existing facility consists of one (1) tower, associated equipment vault, and a propane-fueled emergency generator. The tower is located just east of the vault and is approximately 60 feet in height. The vault is a wood framed structure on concrete slab-on-grade. The generator is located on isolated slab-on-grade, while the propane tank rests on the same slab as the tower. The facility is protected from entry with a fence and locked gate.
The County leases land at this site, owns, and operates an existing 60 ft. tower with multiple microwave and panel antennas and a vault building. The County tower is a 60-foot tall Rohn self-support triangular truss tower that is located on an approximately 14 foot square concrete slab.
The existing vault is about 22’-0 long by 10’-0 wide. The existing vault building is a rectangular shaped wood framed structure and is built on a concrete slab. The building’s footprint is approximately 220 square feet.
The new vault will be constructed of concrete masonry unit (CMU) block and mortar on a concrete pad, precast concrete roof deck, and will be approximately 10’ x 16’ when complete. The existing vault will be operated up to the point of completion of construction of the new vault, when county will move its radios to the new vault, switch power and radio equipment to the new vault and demolish the old vault structure.
The site is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The vault has been monitored for deterioration and shows signs of damage and County has determined its timely to replace it with a building that is more fire resistant to protect critical county improvements and communications.
Contact Information
Name
Robert Aguero
Agency Name
Permit Sonoma
Job Title
Senior Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Cloverdale
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Pine Mountain Road
Zip
95425
Total Acres
N/A
Parcel #
117-240-051, 117-240-049
Waterways
Boggs Creek, Cascade Creek, Fraiser Creek
Township
12N
Range
10W
Section
35
Base
MDM
Other Location Info
Present Land Use/Zoning/General Plan Designation: Resources and Rural Development
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15303 and 15301 (b)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt under Section 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The project consists of the construction of new, small structures. In addition, the project is also categorically exempt under Section 15301(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines. It is the minor alteration of an existing public facility involving negligible expansion of use.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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