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Council continues appeal on 65-foot monopole at 401 First Street to May 19, requests camouflage options
Summary
The council continued consideration of Crown Castle/T‑Mobile’s appeal to replace a 35-foot monopole with a 65‑foot monopole at 401 First Street to the May 19 meeting, and asked the applicant to return with visual alternatives (including stealth/camouflage renderings) if feasible.
On May 5 the Gilroy City Council continued an appeal regarding a wireless facility proposed at 401 First Street, giving the applicant time to return with additional visual options and technical detail.
Crown Castle (owner of the pole) and T‑Mobile (antenna operator) appealed the Planning Commission’s 3–3 tie that was recorded as a denial of the project. The staff report described the proposal to remove a 35‑foot monopole and install a 65‑foot monopole with antennas at about 60 feet; staff recommended approval after concluding the project complies with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits and is categorically exempt under CEQA (Class 3 — small structures).
Staff explained the RF report’s modeled exposure zones and said the highest modeled exposures would be above ground level (for example 49 feet above paved grade in some sightlines) and that the project complies with FCC limits at ground level. Planning commissioners were split in March. Commissioners who opposed the project raised design and visual impacts and questions about RF-reporting detail; the applicant said FCC compliance testing and RF safety protocols are in place and that co-location is expected on the monopole.
Council discussion focused on visual impacts and ‘stealth’ or camouflage options: several councilmembers said a fake‑tree concealment could require a taller, wider structure and might be more visually intrusive in that location. The applicant’s RF professional said camouflaging typically increases height and diameter by a measurable amount (roughly an additional 10 feet taller and wider in typical examples) and can place antennas further from the centerline, which can change sightlines. Staff and the applicant agreed that additional renderings would be useful.
The council voted to continue the appeal to May 19 to allow the applicant to provide alternate renderings and additional technical detail. The continuation motion carried by roll call (5 in favor, 2 opposed). The council also asked staff to post clear visuals of the proposal and any alternatives for public review ahead of the May 19 hearing.
