LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will continue its discussion of the appeal of a cell tower project in the city.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Under council business, Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present an update and findings on the cell tower project proposed for 1875 N. High St.
Complete Wireless Consulting Inc., on behalf of Verizon Wireless, is seeking the use permit and architectural design and review for the installation of a 72-foot-tall “monopine” cell phone tower, designed to look like a pine tree.
According to statements from Complete Wireless Consulting Inc. and Verizon Wireless, the project is meant to address a coverage gap identified in the area.
The Lakeport Planning Commission approved the project's use permit application in May, but Nancy Ruzicka, whose family owns the High Street Village shopping center, appealed the decision.
Ruzicka rallied community members who came forward at a June council meeting to speak against the tower's location in an area surrounded by residential neighborhoods, as Lake County News has reported.
While the council appeared ready to grant the appeal, at Complete Wireless Consulting Inc.'s request council members on July 7 granted a 60-day extension in order for the company to explore other sites and designs.
As the council directed him to do, Ingram is bringing back to the council findings to support granting Ruzicka's appeal, with height, appearance and location being considered as key issues that cause the project not to adequately comply with the city's municipal code and general plan.
Ingram's report also include a copy of a letter to the council from Verizon Wireless' legal counsel, which asserts that granting the appeal would violate the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 because the city is denying the “least intrusive feasible location” for the corporation to install a facility to address the coverage gap.
Verizon Wireless also reported to the city that a text message was set to customers on Aug. 10 asking if they supported the facility. In a one-week period, 281 people responded in the affirmative, with 10 people voicing their opposition.
Also on Tuesday, the council will consider proposed resolutions and give direction to the city’s voting delegate regarding the resolutions that will be voted on at the 2015 League of California Cities Conference, which takes place Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in San Jose.
City staff also will introduce a new employee to the council at Tuesday's meeting.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular Lakeport City Council meeting of Aug. 18; warrant register from Aug. 24; and the approval of a designated temporary disabled parking in the 200 block of C Street, between South Forbes Street and the C street gate to the Fairgrounds, from 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, to midnight on Sunday, Sept. 6.
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Lakeport City Council to continue appeal hearing on North High Street cell tower
- Elizabeth Larson
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