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Neighbors tell Hermosa Beach commission the T‑Mobile RF study omitted closest multiunit building; ask for full CEQA review
Summary
Multiple neighbors from 24th Place told the Planning Commission the applicant’s RF exposure modeling excluded their multi‑unit building and urged denial of the CEQA exemption; residents asked the commission to require cumulative emissions analysis with the existing AT&T installation and to explore alternate sites away from bedrooms.
Several residents who live directly across from 2447 Pacific Coast Highway urged the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission on July 21 to deny the CEQA exemption for a proposed T‑Mobile rooftop facility, saying the applicant’s RF exposure work omitted the most affected multiunit building.
"Our building is a 10‑unit multifamily complex with 16 residents and we sit at the exact same 4‑story elevation as the proposed antennas," said Julie Hoefer (743 24th Place), who identified herself as an auditor with the Department of Energy. Hoefer said the applicant’s studies modeled only three properties and excluded her address, which she called "a critical data omission." She urged the commission to reject the studies and require relocation away from residences.
Christopher Matzek, a neighbor at 743 24th Place, echoed those concerns and said T‑Mobile’s own gap analysis shows a net negative residential coverage change from replacing the current site. Property owner Patricia Zingheim asked the applicant to demonstrate cumulative RF impact of adding T‑Mobile to the existing AT&T installation on the same roof and warned that adjacent rooftop decks and balconies could be affected.
Staff noted federal law restricts local authorities from considering health effects if a wireless facility complies with FCC RF‑exposure standards; however, staff and the applicant also discussed the possibility of providing revised or cumulative modeling and post‑installation field readings to address neighbor concerns. The commission directed the applicant to return with additional studies and set a follow‑up hearing for Aug. 4.
