Residents urge City of San Mateo to seek rescission of Crown Castle "deemed approved" letters for five wireless permits

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Residents and permit appellants asked the City of San Mateo on April 17 to press Crown Castle to rescind a February letter the company says "deems approved" five wireless permits, arguing staff missed processing deadlines and that the letter creates legal and financial risk for the city.

At a special City Council meeting convened by Mayor Newsom, two organized public presenters — Jeff Adams and Ariel Strauss — told the council that Crown Castle’s letter, dated Feb. 18, effectively granted permits immediately and that the company later agreed only to extend the city’s deadline to sue, not to pause the permits’ legal effect. Adams urged the council to direct the city attorney to ask Crown Castle whether the company agrees the permits are not validly issued; if Crown Castle refuses, Adams urged litigation. "The city staff was negligent in performing one of its most basic duties with regard to the 5G application process," Adams said.

The presenters said the perceived failure to allow administrative review to complete before permits were deemed approved could expose the city to damages claims. Adams estimated that the five…