CLEARLAKE >> The Clearlake City Council briefly discussed an addition to the city’s zoning ordinance to regulate wireless communication facilities during a public hearing Thursday.
Several applications for wireless communication facilities, primarily large cellular transmission towers, have been received, Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom explained.
“We currently don’t have regulations for these applications,” Folsom said.
The ordinance will be considered by the Clearlake Planning Commission during a public hearing Tuesday, after which it will be returned to the council on Aug. 27. Copies of the draft ordinance have also been sent to representatives of the cellular industry for comment, Folsom said.
According to the draft ordinance, a maximum height of 35 feet for telecommunication facilities is proposed, unless more is required to comply with federal and state health and safety laws. Installation cannot be mounted on single-family houses or duplexes.
Councilman Bruno Sabatier said he would like the planning commission to consider the height of proposed towers and its proximity to the nearest resident.
The proposed ordinance also describes acceptable structures allowed in public right-of-ways, which includes antennas less that 26 inches tall, radio boxes less than two cubic feet, equipment not requiring above-ground installation and a minimum distance of 500 feet from residential districts.
Multiple ground and building-mounted structures such as citizens band radio antennas, as well as radio and television antennas or satellite dishes that are only capable of receiving signals are exempt from the ordinance — if they do not exceed the zoning district’s height requirement. Additionally, facilities used for public safety or homeland security will be exempt.
Included in the requirements are a project description that details services provided, power ratings and site capacity; a site restoration plan; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing documentation and a visual analysis.
Any appeal regarding wireless communication facilities must be submitted with 10 days of its approval or denial.
Councilman Russell Perdock voiced his desire reach out to other communities to see how they approached the issue, as well as a preference for hidden towers.
“In southern California they have disguised them a palm trees,” Folsom answered.
The council reached unanimous consensus but took no action, as the topic will be returned to them at their next meeting.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
