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Commission pauses AT&T rooftop cell proposal after neighborhood objections; Richards recuses
Summary
The commission paused consideration of AT&T's proposed rooftop wireless facility at 2990 Fourth Street after multiple neighbors raised outreach, size and contamination concerns. Commissioner Richards recused himself because he holds AT&T stock; the item was continued to Nov. 8 for further community outreach and staff follow‑up.
The Planning Commission on Sept. 13 heard a contested proposal for an AT&T rooftop wireless facility at 2990 Fourth Street and voted to continue the item to Nov. 8 after neighbors raised concerns about outreach, site history and scale.
Planning staff described the project as a roof‑mounted site with FRP enclosures, nine antennas (reduced from nine to six in design iterations) and ancillary ground‑floor equipment; staff recommended approval with conditions, saying the project fits the wireless siting guidelines. "The department finds that the project is on balance consistent with the wireless siting guidelines and objectives of the general plan and recommends approval with conditions," staff planner Ashley Lindsay told commissioners.
Neighbors testified that AT&T outreach was limited, described the project as "far too big for a residential area" and urged a pause. Miguel Bustos, who said he has lived within 100 feet of the site for 49 years, asked the commission to continue the item "indefinitely until we actually have a good conversation with the project sponsors" and requested an environmental site assessment because the site was formerly a gas station. "We had did express some concern regarding the project ... None of them live in the district," Bustos said, citing outreach shortcomings.
During commissioner questioning, Commissioner Richards noted he holds stock in AT&T and "I make a motion to recuse myself based on the stock that I hold in AT and T Corporation." The Commission voted to accept Richards's recusal and then considered competing continuance motions. A motion to continue indefinitely failed; a date‑certain motion moved by Commissioner Fong to continue consideration to Nov. 8 was approved 5‑1 (Commissioner Melgar opposed).
The commission also requested that AT&T and staff continue community outreach and provide further technical and screening details, and that staff include a fuller alternate‑site analysis and documentation of community outreach in the record ahead of the Nov. 8 hearing.
