Story Created:
Mar 11, 2010 at 1:26 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 at 1:26 PM PST
NORWALK — In a reaction to a number of wireless communication towers being installed in the city recently, the City Council March 2 clamped a 45-day freeze on such projects and voted to review a project already approved by the Planning Commission.
At a meeting Feb. 23, council members expressed concerns about the towers and wondered if the city could place limits on heights and other issues which would not override current restrictions imposed by the state and federal communications commissions.
City Councilman Mike Mendez called for a quick response from staff but Kurt Anderson, director of community development, said a new ordinance would require special notices and hearings by the Planning Commission, which could not legally be done in 45 days.
However, the moratorium could legally be extended for another 10 months and 15 days after the first 45 days, he noted.
Six applications are in various stages of approval, and a seventh application was approved by the planners Feb. 24.
City officials said their concerns included a proliferation of towers, some in locations which might violate city land use plans; creation of visual blight, and possible safety problems because of unsafe locations of towers affecting vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
To be reviewed is a plan by T-Mobile to install a 50-foot high antenna tower at 13100 to 13210 Studebaker Road, with a 560-square-foot base holding equipment.
The Planning Commission called for two live palm trees to be planted next to the tower to hide it.
In other action March 2, the council renewed its contract with TruGreen Landcare for landscape services through April 30, 2013. The current contract ends April 30, 2010.
City Manager Ernie Garcia said the firm has agreed to maintain an additional four city-owned lots at no extra cost, saving the city about $20,000.
Cost of the new contract is $471,467 a year, Garcia said.
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