Politics & Government

City Moves Forward With Cell Phone Antenna Discussion

Burlingame continues to gather public input and information on cell phone tower applications within the City.

The construction of cell phone towers in Burlingame neighborhoods remained on the minds of many Burlingame residents at Monday’s City Council meeting. Ever since the applications for antenna construction from T-Mobile and ExteNet , they have expressed concern over the issue and urged city officials to fight back.

“A lot of us have organized to try to learn more about the process and more about our rights,” said resident Mark Wilson. “[I] want to make sure [council is] aware of our concerns…we hope the City will avail itself.”

Citizens have many issues with the proposed towers, including unsatisfactory information and response from the cell phone companies, incomplete notification and the effect towers would have on property value.

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Only regulations regarding satellite dishes and other antennas attached to roofs exist in Burlingame--not those used for cell phones.

In order to manage tower requests, the City plans to create a new ordinance altering zoning and requiring the owner of the tower to obtain a use permit.

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Many asked for a moratorium while more information is gathered and an ordinance is drafted, a plan City Attorney Gus Guinan said has potential during his update on the matter.

As pointed out by resident Doug Luftman, many of the residents understand the necessity of cell phone towers, but want explanations regarding why they would be built in residential areas as opposed to commercial areas. He also thanked city officials for the attention they have given this issue thus far.

Luftman was one of the resident attorneys that Guinan said he met with on the topic of cell phone antennas.

Guinan said no encroachment permits have been issued, and staff is busy ensuring the cell phone companies respond to all resident complaints and concerns sent in during the comment period, which ended August 2.

However, Guinan reminded residents that under the Federal Telecommunications Act, the City most likely can not use environmental factors as reasoning against antennas.

“As long as the facilities are compliant with FCC regulations, local agency decisions can not be grounded on the environmental health effects of RF emissions,” he said.  

The next step is waiting for the proper responses from the cell phone companies, and then a special study session will be planned, most likely for early October.

Guinan said he expects to have both a lawyer and technology industry representative at the meeting.  

“The focus is to provide as much information for everybody,” he said. “There is a lot of lack of understanding.”


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