Burbank’s Planning Board approved by a 4-1 vote a new draft wireless ordinance, despite citizens’ calls for stricter rules like Glendale’s and one board member’s request for a map of all cell sites in order to evaluate the new rules.
Burbank planning staff told the Board that Glendale’s ordinance was lengthy and difficult to understand. In fact, Glendale’s ordinance is exhaustive and thorough. When the Planning Board chair asked if there had been any legal challenges to Glendale’s ordinance, staff did not know the answer. In fact, there have been none, as Los Angeles city staff managed to verify a few weeks ago by calling Glendale city attorney Christina Sansone.
Vahe Hovanessian urged fellow Board members to take the time needed to work out details. He had asked for a map of all cell sites in Burbank, but instead got a list of addresses. Glendale staff used a GIS system to map all cell sites in this city when its wireless ordinance was being updated. They also inspected sites and found some code violations. The effort paid off for Glendale in lessons learned and additional staff recommendations for the ordinance.
Hovanessian insisted that seeing exactly where Burbank cell sites were placed could help the Planning Board better understand what kind of permits it should require for different parts of the city.
Among Burbank residents’ objections to the draft ordinance was that it allows cell towers on private institutional property (i.e., churches and private schools) in residential areas. While Glendale’s ordinance does not strictly prohibit these, it does restrict installations in residential zones unless carriers can prove a site is needed in a residential location.
Wireless carrier representatives addressed the board on several points. AT&T External Affairs VP Richard Roche reported that demand for mobile services has grown 8000 percent in the past 4 years, and is projected to be 8-10 times greater by 2015. He also asked that Burbank give its city staff the flexibility to work with carriers in identifying the best sites to meet demand while balancing neighborhood concerns.
The proposed update to the City of Burbank’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities ordinance, approved without changes by the Planning Board, goes before Burbank City Council on July 26.
Pingback: San Francisco Caves to T-Mobile, Sets Bad Precedent; LA Council Committee Considers New Wireless Rules; Consortium Asks Congress to Change FCC Guidelines | Sunroom Desk
Update: The proposed updated ordinance is scheduled to go before City Council on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. According to the Planning Dept. notice that went out this week:
“View documents related to this project at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 275 E. Olive Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
“Attend the City Council public hearing to comment on the project on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers in City Hall at 275 E. Olive Avenue in Burbank.”