Planning commission approves AT&T rooftop wireless facility at 560 N. Coast Highway 101
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Encinitas Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an AT&T roof‑mounted telecommunications facility at 560 North Coast Highway 101, finding the project conforms with city standards and that RF exposure falls under FCC jurisdiction; staff cited a CEQA Class 3 exemption.
The Encinitas Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a permit allowing AT&T to install a roof‑mounted wireless communications facility at 560 North Coast Highway 101.
Staff recommended approval after a technical review and third‑party RF analysis that, the presentation said, found the proposed nine‑antenna installation would comply with federal Federal Communications Commission standards. The project would place antennas behind approximately 4.5‑foot fiber‑reinforced‑plastic (FRP) screen walls and house ancillary equipment in a roughly 106‑square‑foot enclosure on the building’s second floor. Staff described the site as roughly 0.4 acres within a mixed‑use commercial zone and said the project qualifies for a Class 3 CEQA exemption for small structures.
"Telecommunications facility, as proposed, will operate in full compliance with the FCC," staff said during the presentation, noting the city had retained outside telecom and legal reviewers. Staff also stressed that health or biological claims about radio‑frequency emissions are preempted by the FCC and are outside the city's local jurisdiction.
Xavier Johnson, the AT&T/MD7 representative, told commissioners the rooftop already hosts a Verizon installation, making the location suitable for co‑location and limiting visual impact. "Our goal tonight is to share details about the project, explain why this location was selected, and answer any questions you may have," Johnson said.
Commissioners asked technical questions about parapet height, cumulative antenna counts, and how future Verizon changes would be reviewed. Staff said Verizon’s approved entitlement previously allowed up to 14 antennas and that any future Verizon submission would be subject to current RF reporting and review procedures.
After deliberation commissioners said they saw limited public controversy and had confidence in the consultant review. The motion to adopt the resolution granting the major use permit and coastal development permit carried 5‑0.
Next steps: The project approval includes standard conditions of approval and compliance monitoring; any appeals or challenges would follow the city and state procedural timelines.