[KHTS] – AT&T officials are requesting a permit and development review at a Santa Clarita Planning Commission meeting Tuesday to allow for the installation and operation of a wireless telecommunications facility at an elementary school.
Kerry Clegg, a board member on the Sulphur Springs school board, says the cell reception would improve tremendously because they’re placing the tower in a dead zone for cell coverage.
“Right now we’re using a backup radio system for emergencies because the cellphone coverage is weak out here,” Clegg said. “It’s now an extra bonus for cellphone coverage and we’ll be better suited just in case there’s an emergency.”
“The communication tower, which is proposed to be about 52 feet tall, would be in the shape of a clock tower with four bases holding it up at Golden Oak Elementary School,” said Mike Ascione, who’s one of the case planners on this proposal.
“The tower would be located at the entrance of the school near Golden Valley Road on top of the hill,” Ascione said. “If approved Tuesday night, it could possibly take up to three months, or even longer, before any progress is noticeable on the tower.”
“It will be a functioning clock tower and a communication cellphone tower,” Clegg said. “But it will not have the appearance of a cellphone tower.”
The city is also proposing an identification sign for Golden Oak Elementary school in front of the tower. Golden Oak Community School is located at 25201 Via Princessa in Canyon Country.
During the meeting, the city has the authority whether to approve, deny or continue the request for the tower.
If approved, AT&T officials would be able to begin to prepare construction documents and submit it through the Santa Clarita Planning Commission in order to begin construction for the tower.
“It’s becoming more common for communication towers to be placed on school campuses and more schools are allowing companies to do so,” Clegg said.
In order for AT&T to receive a building permit, California state law requires that all residents within 1000 feet of the building site must be given notice.
“The tower was confirmed with local and district approval over a year ago but the city of Santa Clarita wanted to be involved in the process and required AT&T to resubmit the proposal through the planning commission,” Clegg said. “The district has had many public hearings and board meetings on the tower with nobody voicing any concerns about the tower.”
“This tower will be a nice standard for the school and it will be no cost to the district,” he said.
The Planning Commission Meeting is Tuesday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard.
– Evan Stevens
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Tweet This
Facebook
Digg This
Bookmark
Stumble
RSS
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
14 Comments
so what AT&T is saying that they do not offer more coverage than Verizon?
so what AT&T is saying that they do not offer more coverage than Verizon?
Can you hear me Now
Since this technology is basically line-of-sight, wouldn’t it make more sense to put it on top of one of the nearby hills in order to reach more customers? Or is this one of the low-power, locals-only towers?
Seems like it will mostly be for Fair Oaks Ranch folks and the mall. Oh, and for the new developments at Fair Oaks Ranch.
Marcia Bennett Ashley Reusser- Radford
They forgot to mention how dangerous it is for the students and staff there
Were parents of Golden Oak invited to any meetings at the district office, over the last year, to hear about this tower?
Christina Zigler
Yes please
Private business have no bussiness setting up shop on publicly funded lands
Lets see how this goes…
1. City says no to exclusive emergency response cell towers, but will consider one they get paid for approving.
2. The argument of safety had been thrown around and they are more safe than the screen you are looking at.
3. The idea of AT&T having good coverage on the East side and along the 14 has been a problem for a long time as we are a Canyon Community. I live below Lowes and would like to see it there instead. We have one on Lost Canyon for T-mobile (next to residents) and there is one across the Street from Fair Oaks Elementary for Verizon.
Parents and teachers should have a say in this, not just the planning commission. AT&T should hold public information nights at the school.
Isn’t there enough cancer in this valley?!
To answer your question, no parents were not invited. My daughter goes to the school and I found out through Scv news. nothing was sent home from the school or district. Very disappointing! There’s plenty of room for these towers away from schools None of our kids should be exposed to these towers!
I have 3 children at this school. Parents and Fair Oaks Ranch community STILL have not been informed. Cell phone towers should not be placed on elementary schools! This is already eroding the culture of our wonderful little school! We get cell coverage at the school… It is not a “cell dead zone”!