Tiffany Revelle–Record-Bee staff
LAKE COUNTY — After almost two hours of discussion and public input Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors tabled an ordinance that would impose new requirements on cellular companies applying for new towers. The board sent the ordinance back to the county planning department for revisions.
The ordinance puts restrictions on applications for use permits for cellular towers that address aesthetics, design plans, set-back requirements, methods of ensuring compliance with federal regulations, consideration of project alternatives and deciding whether or not adequate coverage already exists in a given area. Five people spoke to the board requesting tighter restrictions than the ordinance would impose.
“We need to be able to evaluate the cumulative impact of all the individual carriers and make sure we are not exceeding the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) standards for RF (radio frequency) emissions,” Upper Lake Resident Cheryl Little Deer said. She noted that seven cellular carriers provide service in Lake County.
Little Deer appealed the county Planning Commission approval of U.S. Cellular”s application for a permit to put a 120-foot cell tower near her home in May 2007. Her concerns were about electromagnetic radiation and RF emissions, and the detrimental effect she said they have on her health.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 says the county cannot consider environmental effects of RF emissions in allowing new telecommunication towers or in deciding where they can be built.
The ordinance would require cellular companies to sign an agreement with the county that would require yearly inspections to ensure that the towers meet FCC emissions requirements. Supervisor Anthony Farrington asked County Council Anita Grant whether or not the county could deny a use permit for noncompliance.
“We can file a complaint with the FCC, and they could either force them into compliance or shut them down, so it”s almost a moot point. We are not emissions experts,” Grant said.
Supervisor Ed Robey said he wanted to contact Mike Thompson”s office to find out whether or not the FCC monitors the towers for RF emissions.
Among other revisions the board asked the planning department to make, any new cellular tower application will require a major use permit. Co-locating to provide service from an existing tower will require a minor use permit. The maximum height allowed in the ordinance is 150 feet.
Language regarding how simulations will be done in communities where towers are proposed and how to camouflage the towers will also be revised. The ordinance is due back before the board June 10.
Answering another of Little Deer”s concerns, Supervisor Denise Rushing said she would bring a proposal before the board to create a telecommunications task force that would develop a comprehensive, countywide plan for the towers.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
