Construction of T-Mobile Cell Towers Postponed Again

T-Mobile's plans to construct a pair of cell phone towers on Adamsville Road were further stalled at a meeting for the Calabasas Planning Commission following a staff recommendation citing the need to conduct an environmental review for the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

A decision had been previously postponed at their July 1 meeting because of residents' concerns. The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District also postponed a decision over a land lease for the same cell towers due to allegations of violations of open government laws.

Originally the project was not subject to review under CEQA, said City Planner Tom Bartlett, but comments from the public indicated there was a need for an environmental impact report. The vote was pushed back indefinitely because the commission doesn't know when the report will be finished.

Among concerns were the impact it would have on local wildlife and fire hazards it would pose to the nearby brush.

"Because of that we approached the applicant...and  asked if we could get a deposit from the applicant to reimburse the city for the cost of doing CEQA review," Bartlett said, "and we got assurance of that."

The permit is for six ground-mounted equipment cabinets and two slim line 32-foot tall towers which would be located at 3370 Adamsville Road. Each pole would have two antennas.

While residents were concerned about radio frequency emissions and the drop in property values associated with the cell phone towers, the city can't deny the lease on those basis'.

"I know we can't argue on RF emissions," said Andrea Esterson Lipschitz who is one of several Calabasas residents organizing neighbors against the the construction of the cell towers. 

Lipschitz said believes the environmental report will stop the construction of the cell towers.

"I think doing the environmental review is good, hopefully it will keep other people from going through the same thing as us."

Also in attendance was Walter Gaworecki, spokesman for T-mobile and agent with Synergy Development Services.

"I'm just here to basically confirm...that T-mobile has agreed to pay for the initial study so we can address any issues at the next meeting and will hold comments until that time," Gaworecki said.

A request to demolish the Calabasas Inn Banquet facility in order to build a senior residential community along with retail shops was also pushed back to an unknown date. Originally the planner said the 222,379 square-foot building would have a parking garage, retail shops, independent and assisted living units for seniors and an increase in building height from 35 feet to 46 feet.

Following public outcry, primarily from the Los Feliz Calabasas Homeowners Association, the developer Woodland Construction decided to revamp the project and come before the planning commission at a later date.

"You have to listen to people who have good comments you'd be a fool not to," said Lawrence Dimovitz owner of Woodland Construction.

Most of the concerns from residents are regarding senior housing and the traffic they said comes with the construction of this project such as delivery trucks and emergency vehicles.

"I'm against it because there's going to be low-income housing for seniors and we don't want them in our neighborhood," said Jerry Becker a Calabasas resident who lives nearby the proposed cite. "It will have a detrimental affect on property values."

The building would be located on 23500 Park Sorrento.

"They can complain all they want low-income housing for seniors is going to be there," Dimovitz said. "They are low-income people who need housing."

Dimovitz said there will be public meetings where residents can further express their concerns.

"We're opposed to the size of the complex it's way too big," said Walt Jennings, president of the Los Feliz Calabasas Homeowners Association. "The street isn't big enough to meet the traffic needs associated with assisted living for seniors."