Calabasas planners describe permitting work, push for wireless ordinance to ease cell-service improvements

Jaclyn Rackerby, a planner in the City of Calabasas Community Development Department, said she and colleagues handle a wide range of permitting and plan-review tasks and have worked on a local wireless ordinance to improve cellular service.

Rackerby said the department’s everyday work includes answering a high volume of emails and reviewing project plans digitally, from water-heater permits to large development proposals. "I'm a planner and I work in our community development department," she said.

Gabe, who works in the community development department's building and safety division, summarized routine inspections and permits the office handles, listing "new construction, new homes, commercial tenant improvements, a lot of solar, PV, ESS, battery inspections, everything from a water heater to a new home." He also praised the city as a positive place to work.

Rackerby described the wireless ordinance rewrite as a significant project she helped develop alongside Community Development Director Michael Klein. She said the city previously had a restrictive ordinance that contributed to poor cell service and that residents have pushed for better coverage. "Our cell service in the city is pretty poor due to a restrictive ordinance that we had for many years," she said.

She said the amended ordinance is meant to make it easier for carriers to propose modifications to existing sites or to propose new wireless sites, and that implementation would take time: "Change doesn't happen overnight, but we're hoping to see that happen in the next few years." The office encouraged residents to contact staff with project questions or concerns.

The presentation was informational; no formal actions, votes, or ordinance adoption were recorded in the transcript. Staff said they will continue working on the ordinance and on routine permitting and inspections.