Commission approves AT&T rooftop cell site on church after neighborhood protest; company volunteers alternative review

The Planning Commission voted on May 8 to approve AT&T27s conditional-use permit for a rooftop macro wireless facility at 540 San Juan Avenue, a church building in Mission Terrace. The carrier proposed 10 panel antennas grouped into three screened sector clusters; staff classified the site as a 22preference 122 location under the wireless guidelines because it is a public-use structure.

The hearing drew about 30 public contacts and numerous speakers who urged alternative locations, most prominently Balboa Park, and expressed concerns about visual impacts on an architecturally notable building and proximity to residences and a public pool. AT&T presented an alternatives analysis and said RF modeling indicated the proposal would close an important coverage gap. AT&T staff said they had explored Balboa Park but that park policies and permitting had prevented placement there; the carrier offered to study and, if feasible, decommission one sector on the church roof in favor of a Balboa Park installation once a park agreement could be reached.

Neighbors urged delay and more outreach to Recreation and Parks and to explore less-intrusive designs. Planning staff said they had assessed multiple alternatives and that the proposed design had been refined from earlier schemes to minimize rooftop intrusion. The commission approved the CUP with added finding that AT&T volunteered to reduce rooftop sectors if an alternative site becomes available; the final tally was 4-2, with Commissioners Hillis and Moore voting against.

The decision permits AT&T to install the antennas and required equipment cabinets in a screened rooftop configuration and a rear-yard equipment area; the carrier and staff will continue outreach on alternative sites and mitigation measures for historic and visual impacts.