San Diego County Planning Commission has approved a major use permit for a wireless communications project in the 14800 block of Highland Valley Road.
   The commission’s 6-0 vote, with Commissioner Adam Day absent, allows Verizon to construct a 45-foot-tall false palm tree to which 12 panel antennas and one microwave dish will be mounted.
   The structure will include three equipment cabinets that will be enclosed by a 240-square-foot equipment shelter with a stucco finish, two air conditioning units and a 30,000-watt emergency generator. The equipment shelter, air conditioning units and generator will be surrounded by a concrete masonry unit wall 8 feet high.
   The 13.98-acre parcel has A70 agricultural zoning. Preferred zones include parcels with commercial and industrial zoning and some special purpose zoning, so the major use permit was required. The site was approved because no other preferred zones in the service area exist that meet the coverage objective, according to a county report.
   The project will occupy approximately 900 square feet of the parcel, which includes a single-family residence and a palm tree nursery. The facility will be on the western portion of the parcel and will be accessed from Highland Valley Road.
   In December 2008, the Ramona Community Planning Group voted 14-0, with one member absent, to recommend the county approve the permit.