Burbank’s Planning and Transportation Department hosted a December 1 meeting on its proposed wireless ordinance, and the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council’s Land Use Committee met December 6 with Los Angeles city staff and T-Mobile representatives to discuss the carrier’s sites.
The Burbank meeting was led by Assistant Planner Amanda Klotzsche, who said the city hopes to have proposed regulations available for public review early next year. Residents asked if new rules could include notifying schools and parents of nearby proposed cell sites. Klotzsche responded that a school within 1,000 ft. of a site would be informed, but it would up to the school to notify parents. Residents also requested reviews and notifications of any public right-of-way installations, to avoid incidents such as the recent 52 ft. tower installation in a Sherman Oaks neighborhood. Representatives of wireless carriers attended the study session, but made no comments. The Burbank Leader carried this report on the wireless ordinance planning session.
At the Sunland meeting, several installations were discussed, including a T-Mobile facility on Summitrose which has angered residents. T-Mobile and other telecom reps were present, and emphasized that wireless companies have a clear right under Los Angeles’ ordinance to install utility pole replacement towers in the public right-of-way. Such installations are completely exempt from regulation under LA’s outdated rules. To date, more than 45 neighborhood councils have called on the Los Angeles city council to enact a moratorium and update these rules. Council member Paul Krekorian’s Planning Deputy Daniel Brumer attended this meeting.
Krekorian’s district includes both Sunland-Tujunga and the Sherman Oaks area. Residents near the 52 ft. T-Mobile site on Albers St. in Sherman Oaks have applied to his office to have the tower removed. Krekorian maintains that under existing laws, municipalities generally have no authority to block such installations.
Glendale has crafted rules and restrictions on public right-of-way installations in residential areas, and San Francisco is now considering new rules . More on San Francisco’s deliberations over wireless installations in the public right-of-way in an upcoming post.