Debate renewed on cell phone antennas

Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

The issue of cell phone towers and their effect on health, views and property values is a topic being debated nationwide, including in Thousand Oaks. On one side are cell phone companies and customers who want good service. On the other are those who argue that complete coverage by every company is unnecessary and detrimental.

The subject came before the planning commission during Monday night’s meeting as AT&T requested approval of four special use permits for wireless facilities in various locations in the city.

Of the four applications, the commission unanimously approved two—one in Dos Vientos Community Park off Borchard Road and one on the northbound 101 Freeway in the Caltrans weigh station. A third site at N. Moorpark Road was narrowly approved, with Commissioners Janet Wall and Amy Walker-Davis dissenting. The fourth site, near a residential area on the southwest corner of Lynn Road and Wildwood Avenue, was not approved. The vote was 4-1, with only Chair Tom Glancy voting for approval.

Residents whose homes are close to the proposed Lynn Road site asked the council to deny the facility because of health concerns regarding radio frequency emissions and because they fear their property values would be affected.

"Our home is only about 140 feet from this thing. I’m concerned for my safety and my health and the impact on my property values," said Carol McNutt.

But under the FCC Telecommunications Act of 1996, health and safety concerns cannot be the basis for denial of a cell phone tower. Cities must abide by federal law—which gives certain rights to wireless carriers in their efforts to deploy antennas for improved coverage—or risk legal action.

Commissioners felt that a better option than the Lynn Road location for AT&T might be the sports facility currently being built at nearby California Lutheran University.

"This (the Lynn Road) site is not aesthetically pleasing," said Walker-Davis. "It does affect your property values and disclosures."

AT&T has three other applications pending for wireless facilities, including two on Erbes Road and one on Sunset Hills Drive. Locations of the 13 AT&T sites already operating in the city include Wendy Road, Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, S. Westlake Boulevard, Janss Road and Olsen Road.

There are more than 50 cell phone sites throughout Thousand Oaks belonging to Verizon, AT&T, Cingular, Nextel and Sprint. There have been applications denied in the past that did not meet the city’s aesthetic requirements, which include placing antennas on existing structures such as streetlights or buildings.

There is a 20-day appeal period on the AT&T proposed sites.