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Oak Park MAC asks County to provide full cell‑tower permit packets after resident complaints
Summary
After residents complained about trenching and early‑morning construction tied to work on the Kilburn water tank, the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council voted 5-0 to ask County Planning for full application packets and simulation photos from cell carriers.
The Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask Ventura County Planning to provide full permit application packets and site simulation photos for proposed cell‑phone antenna installations after residents reported disruptive construction near the Kilburn water tank.
"I received no information about the projects; there was constant retrenching of my street with work beginning at 5:30 a.m., and driveways blocked and power outages," said John Wallace, a resident who described construction activity he said took place about 300 feet from his home on Kilburn Court. Wallace raised the complaint during the MAC's discussion of procedures for reviewing cell‑tower work.
Yvette Macaluso, another resident, raised safety concerns about fuel storage for generators at the tank and urged carriers to consider alternatives. "Solar power would be a good replacement for the flammable fuel," Macaluso said.
MAC member Michael Paule said the Triunfo Sanitation District Board had voted to begin reviewing cell‑tower plans and urged the MAC to get fuller disclosure from carriers. On a motion by Michael Paule, seconded by Jay Kapitz, the MAC voted 5-0 to send a letter requesting that County Planning provide full application packets, photographs or simulations from multiple viewing angles, and disclosures describing construction impacts.
The motion asked County Planning to provide the materials "in a timely manner," so the MAC can review proposed antenna designs and potential neighborhood impacts before sites are built. Jay Kapitz said the MAC may form a subcommittee to track neighborhood complaints and proposed installations; Mike Mc Reynolds asked whether a moratorium on trenching could be considered.
The MAC did not adopt any permit conditions itself; instead the formal request will ask County staff to include the MAC in its review process so members and affected residents can see the full proposals before construction begins.
