Planning commission approves AT&T equipment upgrades at monopine in Southgate Park

The South Gate Planning Commission on Monday approved a conditional use permit to reclassify and allow equipment upgrades at an existing monopine wireless facility in Southgate Park.

Associate planner Joshua Valdez told commissioners the request would reclassify Unclassified Use Permit No. 46 as Conditional Use Permit 26-04 to permit replacement and reconfiguration of antennas, remote radio heads and support equipment at 9611 Pinehurst Avenue. Valdez said the work would occur within the existing facility footprint with no increase in the monopine’s height and that staff recommends a Class 1 CEQA categorical exemption. "As discussed and shown, the project consists of minor alterations to an existing monopine wireless facility with no proposed expansions," Valdez said.

Valdez said the property owner is the City of South Gate and that the applicant is acting on behalf of AT&T. He told the commission that applicants must supply a frequency report reviewed by the city’s third-party consultant and that the staff report includes conditions to mitigate worker exposure and address aesthetic maintenance.

During questioning, commissioners asked whether the CUP would bind future carriers. Valdez said CUP 26-04 applies to AT&T’s colocation at this site; any new colocation proposal would be routed through the city’s third-party wireless consultant to determine whether a shorter federal review applies or a new CUP is appropriate.

A staff member explained the federal context, noting that routine equipment replacements at existing wireless sites can qualify as an "eligible facilities request" under federal law, which limits agencies’ ability to deny such requests. The staff member added that local agencies retain discretion to impose conditions on approved work to protect safety and aesthetics.

The commission also considered an emailed public comment from a resident, Mr. Dominguez, urging the city not to approve cellular towers in parks and suggesting alternatives such as Tweedy Boulevard or a water-tower site. The email warned that approving one tower in a park could set a precedent for additional park installations.

After discussion and a roll-call vote, the commission approved the staff recommendation and adopted the resolution to approve CUP 26-04. Chairperson Prieto announced that the motion passed.

The approval includes conditions listed in the staff resolution addressing screening, maintenance, compliance with federal regulations, and measures to mitigate worker exposure during on-site work. The record cites past council resolutions that authorized the original facility installation in 2005 and later colocation approvals.

The commission’s action implements a staff recommendation that the upgrade be treated through the CUP process because the city’s 2015 zoning update removed the former UUP process from the municipal code and the CUP better reflects the regulatory intent for such modifications. The decision does not increase the monopine’s height or expand the lease area; future carriers seeking colocation will be reviewed under applicable federal and local procedures.

The matter was decided at the July 13 planning commission meeting. No appeal or further action was recorded in the transcript of this session.