Laserfiche WebLink
any other property owner willing to lease land for the monopole. He also stated that <br /> Ubiquitel attempted to collocate on a Metro PCS tower,but that the property owner did <br /> not want to give up additional space for the ground equipment. Ms. Faria further <br /> represented that when Ubiquitel was advised that there was opposition to the proposed <br /> site a meeting was held with the neighbors of the selected site and where they discussed <br /> lightening strikes, safety, and landscaping. <br /> Sean Colt, Gary Brown, Art Nichols,Bill Filios and Mike Atherton spoke against <br /> the application. Sean Colt and Gary Brown spoke on behalf of the Manteca School <br /> District stating that they are concerned that Ubiquitel could lease space on the tower to an <br /> entity that would interfere with the School District use of unlicensed frequencies. Art <br /> Nichols owns property adjacent to the site and stated that he is concerned about the <br /> impact on property values and the impact on future development in the immediate area. <br /> He also stated that the tower would be an eyesore, and it was better suited for an <br /> industrial site. Bill Filios and Mike Atherton also spoke against the application. Both are <br /> involved in the development of the adjacent properties and suggested that <br /> industrial/commercial property is available for the tower site. <br /> Commissioner Morn questioned whether the location was the least intrusive site <br /> or best site because of the planned development in the area. The Planning Commission <br /> on a 3-2 vote denied the application and determined that it could not make Finding No. 4, <br /> that the "issuance of the permit would not be significantly detrimental to the public <br /> health, safety, or welfare, or be injurious to the property or improvements of adjacent <br /> properties." <br /> Appeal before the Board of Supervisors: <br /> Ubiquitel appealed the decision of the Planning Commission to the Board of <br /> Supervisors. Ubiquitel contends on appeal that the Planning Commission erred in its <br /> denial of the Site Approval, in not supporting staff's recommendation and findings, <br /> including but not limited to, the Planning Commissions ability to make Finding No. 4. <br /> Appellant also stated that the Planning Commission's decision may have violated State <br /> and Federal laws including the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Appellants <br /> failed to specify, in its notice of appeal,which portions of the Act, if any,were violated. <br /> Steven Smith appeared on behalf of appellant Ubiquitel before the Board of <br /> Supervisors. He testified that the area surrounding the proposed site is underserved and <br /> that the tower would result in improvement in cell service in the area and along Hwy 120. <br /> Smith stated that after the Planning Commissions denial of the application he <br /> spoke with representatives of Manteca School District and confirmed that the school <br /> district was not concerned with the Sprint/Nextel frequencies which would be used on the <br /> tower,but was only concerned with future collocating users who might interfere with the <br /> school district's use of unlicensed frequencies. <br /> 2 <br />