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Supervisors affirm Planning Department's CEQA exemption for AT&T''Lightspeed" rollout over neighborhood objections; vote 6—
Summary
After debate about scope, community notice and the number of street cabinets, the Board affirmed the Planning Department's environmental exemption for AT&T's Lightspeed upgrades; supervisors who opposed said an environmental impact report is warranted for the cumulative effect of hundreds of sidewalk cabinets.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 6— to uphold the Planning Department's determination that AT&T's proposed "Lightspeed" network upgrades are exempt from further environmental review under CEQA, a decision that divided the board and drew neighborhood concerns about public-right-of-way impacts.
Background and vote The project before the board involved city clearance for up to 726 surface-mounted cabinets to support AT&T's new video/internet service. Planning's environmental review covered the full 726-unit application; however AT&T and Department of Public Works said the company will initially limit rollout to 495 cabinets and perform additional outreach before filing permits for additional locations.
Supervisor John (recorded in the transcript as) Ellsburn moved to affirm the planning exemption for item 5 and to table related items directing additional findings; colleagues debated whether the board should require a full Environmental Impact Report to study cumulative effects of hundreds of cabinets on sidewalks, pedestrian circulation and public space. The motion to affirm the exemption passed by roll call 6 ayes, 5 noes.
Concerns raised Opponents said the project would place private infrastructure on public sidewalks citywide without a full understanding of cumulative impacts; several supervisors asked whether the 495 initial units could expand later to the 726 studied and asked how supervisors would be involved in siting decisions in their districts. Supporters and DPW staff pointed to a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) in which AT&T agrees to additional commitments, including more community outreach, district supervisor notification and a phased installation.
City staff and AT&T commitments DPW said it is "happy with the proposed additional commitments from AT&T" and will seek to ensure those commitments are followed in submittals. City attorneys and DPW representatives clarified that planning's CEQA review analyzed the cumulative environmental effects for the full 726-unit application; the letter from AT&T limits initial construction to 495 units but contemplates additional outreach and procedures before further installations.
Ending The affirmation allows the permitting and initial rollout process to proceed under the planning exemption as described; supervisors who voted against preserved their position that a fuller environmental review and clearer siting controls are necessary for hundreds of new street cabinets.
