County Approves 150 Foot Cell Tower in Dome Valley

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning request permitting a 150 foot cell tower to be built on about one acre of a roughly 55 acre parcel in Dome Valley. The application was submitted by Verizon and the proposed tower would be built to host multiple carriers, with proponents saying it will address coverage gaps affecting households, farm operations and motorists on regional roads.

Supervisors granted the zoning change during a December meeting, but the project remains subject to further requirements. The approval is contingent on a disclosure letter from Yuma Proving Ground and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission rules, including any lighting and marking obligations. Any future modifications to the site or its use would require additional board approval.

Local officials and residents raised a mix of practical and aesthetic concerns during the review. Some supervisors questioned whether the new facility could interfere with crop dusting operations and with the county operated agriculture broadband network that was built to serve farms. Supporters pointed out that the cellular tower will operate on different radio frequencies than the county network designed specifically for farmer communications, though the board weighed those assurances against operational and safety questions.

The landowner told the county that the proposed site is not currently under cultivation and that a long term lease of 50 years is planned for the small parcel to be used by the carrier. The county received at least one written objection citing visual impact, safety and potential effects on property values, reflecting continuing neighborhood sensitivity about tall infrastructure in rural settings.

For residents the decision could mean improved cell service for emergency calls and everyday connectivity, and better coverage for travelers along nearby routes. At the same time farmers and local aviation operators will be watching how the project proceeds through federal reviews and the disclosure process with Yuma Proving Ground. The tower can move forward only after the outstanding federal and military requirements are satisfied.