Conditional Use Permit CU-26-001
Sun State Towers and Verizon have applied to build a permanent commercial wireless monopole at 221 NM-165 — directly in the scenic heart of our community. The application conflicts with the adopted Placitas Area Plan, threatens property values across 555 homes, and once approved, federal law guarantees it will expand with no future public input.
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The adopted community plan explicitly prioritizes preservation of scenic vistas and rural character. This tower contradicts the plan the County approved to guide development in Placitas.
The 18-foot diameter concealment shroud covers only the top 20 feet — leaving 55 feet of bare steel visible. The shroud creates a floating cylinder with no natural analog in the desert landscape.
Section 6409(a) of federal law requires that modifications to existing towers be approved within 60 days — with no public hearing. Once built, this tower grows permanently beyond community control.
Peer-reviewed research applied to Placitas conditions documents an aggregate impact of $24.15 million across 555 homes. The high-desert landscape with 30+ mile sightlines magnifies visibility far beyond suburban norms.
The acoustic study modeled only one carrier. The application's own documents show three carriers are planned. The cumulative noise analysis required by County ordinance was never performed.
The fire station at 463 NM-165 was the applicant's first candidate site. It was abandoned for lease reasons — not because it couldn't work technically. The community deserves a less damaging location.
The Sandoval County Planning & Zoning Commission will vote on this application on May 19, 2026. Written comments submitted by May 16 become part of the permanent administrative record.