Board of Appeals upholds several small-cell permits despite neighborhood objections in Russian Hill and North Beach

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Wednesday upheld a series of Department of Public Works permits for small-cell wireless equipment in Russian Hill and North Beach despite hours of testimony from residents who said the installations would obstruct private views and harm the character of landmark streets.

The board heard multiple appeals, including a contested permit for 2215 Leavenworth Avenue submitted by Extonnet (for Verizon Wireless) and several related sites proposed nearby. Appellants Anne and Randall Brubaker told the board the canisters and equipment "will obstruct our view, period" and urged the board to apply the permit condition that the facility "shall not obstruct the view from or light into any adjacent residential window." Nicole Mason, representing the permit holder, said the installations were designed to minimize visual impact and stressed the citywide network needed to address doubling demand for mobile data and local coverage gaps.

Planning Department wireless planner Omar Mazri told commissioners the department reviewed the sites under Public Works Code Article 25 and…