PC 06/12/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Horan discussed the size and appearance of the pole with Mr. Sweeney who deferred to Mary O'Toole, project architect. Commissioner Michelotti discussed with Mr. Sweeney the size of the trees in the medians. He said the staff report specifies 24" and 48", but he is proposing 24" and 36" instead of 24" and 48"; he felt that these sizes would catch up to the 48" trees in several years and are much less expensive. In addition, 48" trees have a high mortality rate. Commissioner Michelotti called attention to staffs memo that a single arm attachment be utilized on the pole. Mr. Pavan said this is included in the conditions of approval. Commissioner Wright asked Mr. Sweeney if the condition asking for additional landscaping on the Prudential property creates a problem. Mr. Sweeney indicated there could be a problem of liability in putting landscaping on property that does not belong to them. Mary O'Toole, 3857 Breakwater Avenue, Hayward, stated she is the staff architect. In response to Commissioner Horan's question, she described the base and the pole, and presented photos and a catalog picture of the pole and antenna. John Thornton, 3857 Breakwater Avenue, Hayward, explained how the cellular telephone system works. He further explained they have 140 cell sites in the bay area. Their facility on Willow Road will be a switching office and a cell site. He stated one of the advantages to having this facility in Pleasanton is that this will be a direct switching site which will give higher reliability in case of an earthquake or other disaster. He noted that GTE is spending over $1 million in order to build this system. In response to Chairman Mahern's question, Mr. Thornton explained that the size antenna to be used will cover a 5-7 mile radius. Cell sites vary that cover a 1-2 mile radius such as in San Jose or 10-15 miles in Santa Rosa. He said it depends on the usage in the area; they have high usage here because of the industrial parks. He further explained the call boxes on the freeways are actually cellular phones and will be served by GTE. Chairman Mahern questioned Mr. Thornton as to why they felt they needed another site. Mr. Thornton explained that as the network and need expands they simply need more cell sites. They currently have one on the Sunol Ridge and one on Vargas Road. Commissioner Mahem added that she would not want to see antennas and poles "sprouting" up like a windmill farm. Commissioner Horan asked Mr. Thornton to further explain their method of installation of the system. Minute. Planning comai..ion June 12, 1991 Page 8 . .. -