Planning Commission Approves AT&T Rooftop Facility in Noe Valley with Tenant RF‑Testing Condition

The Planning Commission on March 8 approved a conditional use authorization for an AT&T macro wireless telecommunications facility to be installed on the roof of a three‑story building at 4093–20 Fourth Street in Noe Valley.

Staff described the proposal as a preferred zoning location for a wireless facility; the installation includes 12 new panel antennas, 20 remote radio units and screened enclosures designed to match the building’s architecture. Applicant representatives said they held a community meeting before filing, performed neighborhood EME measurements where requested and committed to provide pre‑ and post‑installation testing for concerned tenants.

Tenants and leaseholders who work in offices below the proposed antenna location requested measurements inside their suites both before and after installation and proposed additional rooftop shielding (a copper mesh product) to reduce interior exposure. Raj Mathur, an independent RF engineer retained by the applicant, said typical antenna patterns are directional toward the horizon, roof structures already provide significant attenuation, and pre/post measurements at similar sites typically register only a few percent of the FCC limit.

Commissioner Coppell moved to approve the conditional use authorization with the standard condition that before‑and‑after RF testing be performed for tenants who request it; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. The permit includes conditions requiring screening, painting and pre/post exposure tests as agreed by staff and the applicant. The applicant said it will coordinate the measurements with building tenants.