Stanislaus County is reviewing a proposal to build a 130‑foot wireless communications tower on a rural parcel along West Mariposa Street just outside Newman, a project that has drawn early attention from residents on social media, given the proximity to schools.

The application, submitted by The Towers, LLC, is undergoing the county’s Early Consultation process, which asks responsible agencies to review the project and submit comments before staff determines whether the proposal is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.  The referral was sent to multiple reviewing agencies, including county public works, environmental resources, fire officials and the City of Newman, which may recommend conditions or identify potential impacts before staff issues a decision. Agencies have until Feb. 3 to respond.

The tower is proposed for a 4.92‑acre property at 642 W. Mariposa Street, between Harvey Road and T Street. The site is zoned General Agriculture and lies within the Local Agency Formation Commission’s adopted Sphere of Influence for the City of Newman.

Plans call for a 130‑foot monopole equipped with nine antennas, a microwave dish, a GPS antenna and related radio equipment. Ground facilities would include radio cabinets, a fiber box, a 30‑kilowatt diesel backup generator, service lights, concrete pads and utility connections. The equipment area would occupy roughly 2,500 square feet and be enclosed by a 6‑foot chain‑link fence. A 12‑foot‑wide, 208‑foot‑long access and utility easement would connect the site to Mariposa Street.

According to county documents, the facility would be unstaffed and visited only for maintenance. The project is being processed as a Staff Approval, meaning it does not automatically go before the Planning Commission unless appealed or elevated by county staff.

The property is currently developed with a single‑family home and a small shed. County staff noted that the proposal meets siting standards outlined in Chapter 21.91 of the Stanislaus County Code, which governs communication facilities.

The project has circulated widely online in recent days as residents discuss the tower’s height, location and potential impacts.

The proposed tower site at 642 W. Mariposa Street sits west of Newman’s city limits, with the nearest school, Von Renner Elementary at 1240 T Street, located roughly 0.8 miles east across agricultural land. Hurd Barrington Elementary at 1212 Main Street lies about 1.1 miles southeast, while Orestimba High School at 707 Hardin Road is approximately 1.3 miles southeast, and Yolo Middle School at 901 H Street is about 1.4 miles from the site. The closest recreational area, George Hatfield Park near T Street and Mariposa Street, is situated roughly 0.9 miles east of the parcel. All of these facilities are within the city grid, separated from the project location by rural parcels and open space.

On local social media pages, residents have raised a range of concerns about the project’s location, visibility and potential impacts on the surrounding community.

Jonathan Michael Guajardo created a post on the Newman Community Circle Facebook page urging residents to let the county know of their concerns.

“This tower is proposed near all four Newman schools and our parks and would impact property values and our neighborhoods,” he wrote. “One or two emails won’t stop it — we need the community to act now.”

The county’s referral invites agencies to identify any concerns, including traffic, environmental effects or operational impacts, supported by data when possible.

Project documents and attachments are available for public viewing on the Stanislaus County Planning Department website at http://www.stancounty.com/planning/pl/act-projects.shtm. Anyone with questions or comments about the project can contact the Stanislaus County Department of Planning and Community Development at 1010 10th Street, Suite 3400, Modesto, CA 95354, or by calling the Planning Division at (209) 525‑6330. Building‑related inquiries can be directed to (209) 525‑6557.