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Santa Rosa zoning administrator approves AT&T antenna colocation at fairgrounds after public health concerns
Summary
The City of Santa Rosa zoning administrator granted minor design review to allow AT&T to add 12 antennas and ground equipment at an existing 75-foot monopine at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds parcel, after public comment raised questions about radio-frequency exposure, notice, and siting; the approval is final unless appealed by April 14, 2025.
The City of Santa Rosa zoning administrator approved a minor design review on a proposal to colocate 12 panel antennas and ground equipment at an existing 75-foot “monopine” cell tower on the Sonoma County Fairgrounds parcel at 1350 Bennett Valley Road.
Anna Muncassen, the project planner, told the administrator the application (file DR25007) proposes 12 new panel antennas on the existing tower with no increase in tower height, a lease-area expansion, and a 30-kilowatt diesel generator on a new 5-by-10-foot concrete pad with a 190-gallon fuel tank. Muncassen said the site is on an 81-acre fairgrounds parcel and the city classified the project as categorically exempt under CEQA.
The project drew several public commenters who raised health, notice and siting concerns. Nyla Blair, a nearby resident, said she lives about six blocks away and opposed installation of “5G towers,” citing anecdotal health concerns. Merrill Azar, identifying himself as a Linwood Avenue property owner, said he did not receive a mailed notice and questioned whether there was evidence of a coverage gap that would justify the installation. Orlene Carla and another resident, Sydney (last name not provided), described similar health worries and asked how the city would verify operational power levels after construction.
Planner Muncassen said staff received three public inquiries (one phone call and two emails) and had discussed the concerns with the applicant. She said the radio-frequency analysis prepared by EBI Consulting reported a maximum average RF exposure of 8.68 percent of the FCC maximum permissible exposure limit at the closest ground-level point cited in the report, and that the applicant would post a caution sign at the base of the pole inside the lease area. The applicant representative, Steve Pro of Complete Wireless Consulting, told the administrator the project is a colocated installation with no height increase, that three of the 12 antennas would be configured for low- to mid-band 5G, and that the site will be FirstNet-capable to support public-safety communications.
The planner and applicant also explained legal limits on local review. The planner summarized that federal law (the Spectrum Act and implementing FCC rules commonly cited as the FCC’s “eligible facilities” provisions) restricts denial of qualifying modifications based on health concerns when the modification complies with FCC rules, and that the application was processed under the city’s minor design-review procedures.
After hearing the presentation, public comment and responses, the zoning administrator said the city’s authority to deny qualifying co-location requests is limited and approved the design review. The administrator noted the decision is final unless an appeal is filed with the City Clerk’s office within 10 calendar days, which for this item is Monday, April 14, 2025.
The application packet (DR25007) includes the EBI Consulting radio‑frequency report, the applicant’s coverage maps and photo simulations, and the city planner’s recommended conditions of approval.
Planning staff advised residents to contact the project planner for questions about notice lists or for a copy of the RF report.
