Folsom Planning Commission approves 100-foot SMUD tower by Natoma

Despite a 40-foot high maximum rule in the area, Folsom officials last week approved a 100-foot SMUD tower disguised as a tree near Lake Natoma. The Folsom Planning Commission voted 3-1 with three absent June 18 to approve the SMUD "monopine" cell tower in the Lake Forest business district. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District also received approval for the 50,000 square-foot administrative/operations center with the tower on the six-acre parcel in southwest Folsom. Folsom approved the Lake Forest Technical Center clear back in 1980. The 79-acre planned development area is west of Folsom Blvd. stretching from Blue Ravine Road north to Parkshore Drive along the shores of Lake Natoma. Office and light manufacturing buildings were built throughout the area since 1980, with the Woodmere Road parcel remaining vacant until now. SMUD purchased it in 2023, authorities said. The area still has a 40-foot maximum building height 45 years later. SMUD originally proposed a regular lattice tower until recently changing to a faux pine. "Making it prettier, I think is good. But it's still a 100-foot tower in a 40-foot planned development area," said Vice-Chair Daniel West, casting the lone dissenting vote. "I'm having a hard time finding a reasonable justification." "For this specific facility that's masked as a tree – the 1980 planned development might not have considered a facility such as that," said Planning Manager Josh Kinkade. "We would not be able to communicate with our hydro facilities nor any of our power gen facilities," said SMUD manager Everett Howard, if the tower was denied. "I think the mitigation measures have been pretty thorough," said Commissioner Bill Barcellona, who counted 50 sequoia trees in the area that exceed 75 feet. Mature sequoias reach 100 feet. "I don't have a concern that it's going to blend in with the area." Commission Chair Eileen Reynolds concurred, saying, "There are some tremendous trees in that area." Landscape evergreens will provide required shade and partially obscure the building and communications tower from view of public trails on the west as well as Woodmere Road on the east, staff said. The SMUD plan includes 23 parking spaces along the northern edges of the site – an amount SMUD deems adequate for any situation. The entire site will be enclosed by an eight-foot-high fence with secure access points on the south and east sides. No access will be built along the west edge, according to the report. Landscape strips with perimeter trees will be planted along the northwest and east sides inside the fence. The communications tower, 100 feet high with side-mounted antennae, will be located at the northeast corner of the site. The tower will be a monopole with a 10-foot diameter at the base, tapering to five to six feet at the top. The "tree" will feature artificial branches and foliage to mimic a pine tree, integrating visually with nearby vegetation and reducing its visual impact. Any damage to paint or branches will be repaired, replaced or repainted in 90 days, staff said. Additionally, SMUD will replace all branches every 10 years.