Laura Friedman Gets Credit for G.O.A.C.T. Action Plan
Laura Friedman, candidate for Glendale city council and working member of Glendale Organized Against Cell Towers (GOACT), urged the community group to provide a detailed action plan in its January 7 presentation to city council.
GOACT followed her advice, and crafted a 10-point plan Friedman had outlined. The response from city council was gratifying. After each council member stated they would vote to impose a 45-day moratorium on installation of cell towers in order to study city regulatory options, they directed staff to consider how the city could adopt all the points in GOACT’s action plan.
Thanks to Laura Friedman, who knew GOACT could better protect Glendale neighborhoods by suggesting specific policies, these policies are going to be the starting point for a proposed wireless ordinance.
Here is the 10-point action plan:
1. A public study session with all relevant staff, including City Engineer and City Attorney, to educate the public about the towers and issues surrounding them.
2. The establishment of a notification process similar to that of Design Review Board (DRB) applications.
3. That all new towers be approved by the Planning Commission, so that the public will have the opportunity to review data and respond.
4. That the Planning Commission must make the following findings, based on proof provided by the utilities and thoroughly verified by city staff or an independent third party:
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a. that there is a current lack of coverage;
b. that the placement is the least intrusive to the community;
c. that the tower utilizes the least intrusive (rather than least expensive) available technology;
d. that there is no other feasible location (such as open space) or technology available;
5. That DRB review the design and placement for all towers not in designated or proposed historical districts.
6. That HPC approve the design and placement of all towers in designated or proposed historical districts.
7. That the Planning Department have authority over Public Works and Engineering with regard to antennas and towers.
8. That all applications are reviewed to insure that they are in complete compliance with all zoning codes.
9. That the City of Glendale pass a resolution condemning the portion of the Federal Communications Act which prohibits municipalities raising the issue of health concerns, to be sent to Sacramento and Washington DC.
10. That the City of Glendale pass a resolution condemning the portion of the California Public Utilities Code section 7901 which allows telecommunications companies to ignore local zoning codes and construct facilities along any public right-of-way, to be sent to Sacramento.
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