Commission approves T‑Mobile micro‑site after heated North Beach debate; commissioners urge a citywide wireless plan

San Francisco — The Planning Commission on Feb. 17 approved a T‑Mobile application for a micro‑wireless facility on a Grant Avenue rooftop but declined neighborhood requests to take discretionary review of the company’s multiple pending microsite applications across North Beach.

The decision followed an evening of emotional testimony from residents who said the company was "carpeting" North Beach with antennas and that the Planning Department had not analyzed cumulative visual impacts or CEQA effects. "Up until now cell phone antennas were not raining on our neighborhood," said Termea Yasarian, a Doctor requester for 1653 Grant Avenue. "These things need to be looked at comprehensively."

T‑Mobile representatives said drive‑test data and more than 400 petitions and emails from customers demonstrated coverage gaps and the need for targeted micro‑sites. A T‑Mobile district manager told the commission the company had collected complaints about dropped calls and indoor coverage that the proposed accessory‑use installations would address.

Company counsel emphasized that the microsite design is intentionally minimal — a 10‑inch diameter vent structure about 5 feet tall and set back from the roof edge — and that predicted RF exposures would be well below Federal Communications Commission limits. "These are small, low‑wattage facilities," counsel Paul Albritton said; the company pointed to alternatives analysis and said denial could constitute a federal prohibition of service if nondiscriminatory requirements were not met.

Neighbors and civic groups insisted the Planning Department’s accessory‑use determination (based on a 2006 zoning administrator letter) had been used piecemeal and urged the commission to require conditional use authorization and an EIR that considers the cumulative footprint of closely spaced microsites. Concern about visual clutter, property values and preservation of the character of North Beach were recurring themes.

Commissioners expressed frustration with current federal preemption and technical constraints on local siting of wireless infrastructure. Several commissioners urged the Board of Supervisors and City agencies to convene an interagency process — involving MTA, PUC and public‑health staff — to study a citywide siting and cumulative‑impact policy. "We need a more comprehensive conversation," said Commissioner Moore.

On the motion before the commission to not take discretionary review and approve the site as proposed, the vote was 5–2 (Commissioners Moore and Miguel opposed). Commissioners and staff recorded the need for follow‑up interagency briefings and asked staff to seek carriers’ multi‑year site plans where possible to inform future planning.

What’s next: The approval allows the micro‑site installation to proceed under accessory‑use procedures; staff and some commissioners will pursue an interagency approach to wireless siting policy and possible legislative changes.

Representative quote: "We urge you to amend and pass the current proposal in order to realize the full potential of community gardens." (Note: separate item; quote above for context of hearing)