The Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee unanimously passed a resolution Monday expressing concern about cell tower proliferation, and calling for regulatory reform and a moratorium in the city of Los Angeles.
To date, 25 neighborhood councils have sent letters and resolutions to the city calling for action. A fact sheet that cites Glendale as an example says:
Los Angeles’ existing cell tower regulations are a patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting rules, policies and procedures. There is no ability to deny a cell tower on aesthetic grounds, and there are no specific protections for residential neighborhoods (whether on private or public property). Utility pole cell site installations in public rights of way (ongoing in residential neighborhoods city-wide) are completely exempt from regulation; no installation or excavation permits of any kind are required if a telecom company wishes to install a cell tower with a utility pole as the support structure. DWP officials even claim that telecoms are supposedly entitled to erect pole structures of any height wherever they wish in public rights of way, without local regulation, because of the “Joint Pole Agreement” (JPA)…
Glendale recently responded to citizens’ concerns by imposing a moratorium and drafting a new comprehensive cell tower ordinance (now in the public comment stage); Burbank is now considering doing the same.
The public comment stage for Glendale’s draft ordinance is winding down. Tonight (5 p.m.), the Planning Commission will review the ordinance and staff responses to comments from the public and industry (agenda, staff report). Residents: this is your last chance to influence rules governing wireless installations in Glendale before the ordinance goes to City Council for final approval.
Glendale Organized Against Cell Towers distributed this flyer to residents encouraging participation at the meeting.
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