Jan. 10 2012 Study Session on New AT&T Antennas at 1035 San Pablo Ave.

AT&T is back with another proposal for 21(!) new cell antennas atop 1035 San Pablo Ave. (across from UC Village and directly behind neighbors on Kains Ave.)

The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission will hold a study session on the proposed new antennas this Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 PM at City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave.

IF YOU OPPOSE OR ARE CONCERNED ABOUT more antennas at this location, which already has an installation of Sprint/Nextel antennas, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ATTEND THE MEETING OR WRITE TO THE COMMISSION.   AT&T sent a flyer to its customers asking them write in support of the proposal, so the city has received a number of emails favoring the antennas.

This is a study session for the Commission to ask questions and identify any concerns with the application. The Commission does not vote on an application at a study session, but the application could be brought back for a vote as early as the next P&Z meeting on Jan. 24.

The current proposal suffers from the same problems as it did the last time AT&T brought it forward, which means it violates rooftop coverage and possibly also height limits of our general zoning code.

To try to stop site-by-site controversies such as this one, ARROW supports a citywide moratorium on new cell antennas to allow the city to establish one or more city-owned antenna sites located away from homes and schools, from which wireless providers could serve the whole city and where they would be encouraged to locate.  This is a win-win-win idea.  Neighbors would not have to fight, site by site, to keep antennas away from homes and schools;  carriers could have a streamlined application process; and the city would get monthly income from the carriers.

Verizon Sues City of Albany over Antenna Permit Denial

On Dec. 7, 2011 Verizon Wireless sued the City of Albany CA in federal court to try to overturn the city's wireless regulations as well as the City Council's legitimate decision to refuse to allow upgrades of a non-conforming 65-foot cell tower at 423 San Pablo Ave. The tower exceeds the height limit for that zoning district by 17 feet and is located within 15 feet of an apartment balcony.  

ARROW appreciate all the City Council has done to protect Albany neighborhoods from intrusive wireless installations and to minimize their visual and other impacts in commercial districts.  The Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 clearly preserves the zoning authority of local governments, and the Council has made the right decision to fight this lawsuit and protect Albany's right to regulate where cell towers are located, in accordance with the community's values and wishes while still providing excellent wireless service to residents.

ARROW regrets that the city has to waste resources on bully tactics by a wealthy corporation that would like to take away the city's legitimate land use authority.  Not only our city's right to regulate placement of cell sites is at stake in these legal actions, but the rights of all cities with similar ordinances.   

In November, Crown Castle, the tower owner, filed an application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asking the commission to overturn the city's decision regarding the antenna permit.  However, appears unlikely that the CPUC will accept this case