HomeMy WebLinkAboutD1 NOPH Horizon Tower ZON 2025-11
JEFFERSON COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 150 FOOT HIGH MONOPOLE
NEAR PORT LUDLOW, A TYPE III CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (ZON2025-00011)
Application Received Date: August 5, 2025
Application Complete Date: September 18, 2025
Application Notice Date: November 5, 2025
Notice of Public Hearing and issuance of Final DNS: May 13, 2026
All-virtual Public Hearing Date: June 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
APPLICANT: HORIZON TOWER, NORMAN MORAN, 41 FLEET DRIVE PORT LUDLOW, WA 98365
LOCATION: The 6.12 acre parcel is zoned Rural Residential 1 dwelling per 5 acres (RR1:5), and is located
north of Swansonville Road and Fleet Drive, and west of Jefferson Avenue in the Port Ludlow Area. The
parcel is located in Section: 8, Township: 28N, Range: 1E, W.M. (Assessor parcel number 821081015).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Horizon Tower in conjunction with Verizon Wireless is proposing a new Wireless
Communication Facility (WCF). The proposal is to construct a new 150’ monopole tower with attached
antennas within a 50’x50’ fenced area along with ground mounted equipment and generator. The tower will
improve coverage and network reliability in rural Jefferson County. Horizon Tower has obtained an agreement
with the property owner that will allow for construction and maintenance of this facility, necessary utility
connections, and provisions for access to the site.
This project requires a TYPE III CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (ZON2025-00011), with public notice with a 14-
day comment period, and a notice of public hearing with a decision by the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner
per JCC 18.42.080(3) Table 13-1. A SEPA Checklist, Radio Frequency Design Analysis and other
documentation have been submitted for this application.
PERMITS REQUIRED: The implementation of this proposal would require building and address permit from
Jefferson County DCD. The lease of the 50 by 50 foot area for the proposed WCF facility is exempt from the
land division requirement per RCW 58.17.040(8). This proposal would also require approval from Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) and clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
REPORTS SUBMITTED: The applicant has submitted documentation in their application regarding their Radio
Frequency propagation maps and how co-locating the proposed antennas is not feasible on existing towers
within their desired service area. They also provided a photo simulations of the view of the proposed mono-
pole from key viewing area. A copy of all the studies and reports are available at the DCD Office or on the
DCD customer self-service portal.
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD) is the
lead agency for this proposal and issued a preliminary threshold determination of a Determination of Non-
Significance (DNS) on November 5, 2025 per WAC 197-11-355. The comment period ended on November 19,
2025. DCD received comments from agencies and the public regarding this proposal.
With a few exceptions, this included approximately 145 comments from 73 individuals expressing concerns
regarding the proposal. The comments received will be provided to the Hearing Examiner and the
commenters will receive the notice of public hearing and a copy of the H.E. decision.
The final threshold determination of a DNS is issued on May 13, 2026, which was based on the DCD SEPA
Memo dated May 12, 2026, comments from agencies and the public, the existing Jefferson County
development regulations, the design of this proposal, and the studies and reports addressed above. There is
no additional SEPA comment for this proposal.
APPEALS: The SEPA appeal must be submitted in writing to DCD Planning within 14 days of final threshold
determination with the applicable appeal fee, in conformance with JCC 18.40.330 and 18.40.810. Appeals of
environmental determinations under SEPA, shall be consolidated with any open record hearing on the project
permit for consideration by the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner.
PUBLIC HEARING AND WHERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS: The all-virtual public hearing before the Jefferson
County Hearing Examiner is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday June 16, 2026.
To join the meeting:
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82678751298
Phone: (253) 215-8782, Webinar ID: 826 7875 1298 ,*9 to raise your hand, *6 to unmute
To view the case file, including application and staff report, and other hearing materials: go to
www.co.jefferson.wa.us – Services – Laserfiche Web portal (username/password: public) – Board of
Commissioners – Boards & Committees – Hearing Examiner – 2026 – Horizon 150 foot monopole
or by visiting Jefferson County’s Customer Self-Service Portal:
https://selfservice-op.jeffcowa.us/energov_prod/selfservice#/home and entering Case number: ZON2025-
00011.
The application, reports, and site plans may also be reviewed at the DCD office. The DCD staff report and
exhibits will be available by June 2, 2026.
All interested persons are invited to (a) comment on the application; (b) receive notice of and participate in any
hearings; and (c) receive a copy of the decision by submitting such written comment(s)/request(s) to the
Jefferson County Department of Community Development, 621 Sheridan St, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360)
379-4450 or via email to the project contact.
PROJECT CONTACT: Greg Ballard, Project Planner, planning@co.jefferson.wa.us, Jefferson County
Department of Community Development 621 Sheridan St, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 379-4450