Planning Commission approves AT&T rooftop site at 1098 Jackson over neighbor objections, 4'3

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 on Oct. 2, 2014, to approve a conditional-use permit for an AT&T macro wireless facility at 1098 Jackson Street, imposing conditions requiring the relocation of equipment to a lower roof, painting and screening to match the building, and staff discretion to finalize wrapped antenna treatments and setback adjustments.

AT&T representative Teddy Verhais told the commission the company had worked with staff to address concerns raised at a prior hearing, provided compensation agreements with commercial tenants and revised the proposal so equipment could be moved to a lower roof or be installed with soundproofing if necessary. "We ask for your support to allow us to build this site as proposed," Verhais said during the presentation.

Neighbors and property owners in the immediate vicinity, particularly residents of nearby 1420 Taylor Street, urged disapproval. "I defy AT&T scientists to say categorically... that 20 to 30 years of exposure to these radio frequencies 24/7 will not cause harm to the inhabitants of this area," Eliel Redstone said, voicing persistent community fears about long-term radio-frequency exposure and noting the site's Tier 7 (disfavored) status under wireless siting guidance. Other speakers emphasized the proposal's visual impact, describing six faux vent pipes rising roughly nine feet above the roofline and warning of irreversible changes to neighborhood character.

Staff and commissioners discussed a 27-site alternative-site search and whether the applicant had adequately considered higher-preference locations. Planning staff reported that, while alternate sites were examined, the area's building stock limited preferable co-location options and noted that the lower-roof placement would require a variance and additional historic-preservation review in some respects.

Commissioner Antonini moved to approve the project with the revisions and conditions discussed in the hearing, including that equipment be painted to match the building, that wrapped antennas (rather than full radomes) be used at staff's discretion, that antennas be set back an additional foot from the facade, and that approval be contingent on obtaining any necessary variance. The motion passed 4'3, with Commissioners Hillis, Moore and Richards voting no.

The approval requires further staff-level design work and the granting of any variances needed before final permits are issued. The commission's action was procedural and limited to planning findings; it does not change federal or other agency regulations that govern radio-frequency emissions.