Commission Recommends Moving Step Forward With Verizon Cell Tower at Calabasas Country Club

The Calabasas Communications & Technology Commission recommended Tuesday that a Conditional Use Permit to install a new Verizon Wireless telecommunication facility be moved to city council for consideration.

According to the city's website documentation, the facility will include:

... the installation of a 55’-tall monopine with 12 panel antennas and associated equipment to be located within a new cmu walled enclosure located at 4515 Park Entrada, within the Recreation (REC) zoning district. 
Least intrusive
The plan was already approved by the city's Architecture Review Panel. 

During the public speaking portion of the meeting, many residents spoke in favor of 
the tower, saying that the gap in service at Bay Laurel Elementary School and surrounding area prevents emergency calls from getting out.

"It's a dead zone," said Alicia Weintraub, a Bay Laurel parent and Verizon subscriber. "As a parent, it's a safety concern. We need to have options."

However, some expressed concern over safety, citing studies that proved prolonged exposure to cell tower emissions can lead to cancer.

Resident Wendy James cited Calabasas City Ordinance No. 2012-295, Section 4 a., Design and Development Standards: 

All new wireless telecommunications facilities shall be set back
at least 1,000 feet from schools, dwelling units and parks.  
"There are a number of single family homes which are within 250 - 825' from the proposed monopine," she said.

If placed next to the club house at the Calabasas Country Club as planned, the monopine and its equipment would be 1700 feet from Bay Laurel and 250 feet from the closest home.

According to City Planner Michael Klein, the country club was the "least intrusive" location for closing a significant service gap; therefore making this particular situation exempt from the city ordinance.

"We're talking about 2,000 homes currently being affected," he said.

The vote to recommend the application to council was 4-1, with a nay from Linda Stock, the commission's vice chair, who felt alternative sites weren't fully explored enough.

"I'd like to see further treatment [of this issue]," she said.

Click here to review all of the city's documents under "Public Hearing Item."