LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council will revisit an earlier appeal challenging the installation of a Verizon Wireless cell tower when the body reconvenes on Tuesday.
During its June 16 meeting, the council directed staff to return with written findings in the event of approval. Additionally, a 60-day continuance has been requested by the applicant, Complete Wireless Consulting, in order to allow time to evaluate alternative designs and locations to address the purported significant gap in coverage for the Central Lakeport area.
The 72-foot tower was originally approved to be installed at 1875 N. High St. by the Lakeport Planning Commission on May 13. Several people expressed concern over the feature at the June meeting, however, including residents and commercial property owners. The project “is not consistent with the Lakeport General Plan or Zoning Ordinance,” Lakeport Community Development Director Kevin Ingram stated in his report, citing public concerns regarding height, design and location.
In response, Paul B. Albritton of the San Francisco-based law firm Mackenzie & Albritton, LLP, said the appeal “has no merit and should be denied.” “Verizon Wireless has worked diligently to identify a location and design that will serve the Lakeport area with the least impacts to the community,” Albritton continued. “The preferred alternative involves placing nine antennas on a 72-foot stealth tree-pole designed to resemble a pine tree.”
The planned location apparently meets all federal requirements for approval. Any change would likely involve research into telecommunications law. If a provider demonstrates both the existence of a significant gap in service, and that the proposed facility meets the least intrusive means standard, as well as other measures, the local government is required to approve the facility.
According to Albritton, erecting a tower at the existing location “will not create any environmental or land use impacts of any kind that could justify denial.”
While the tower is feasible and apparently within Federal standards, however, city staff findings meet federal requirement to provide specific reasons within local regulations to deny the facility’s construction, as well as substantial evidence supporting the appeal.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
