Bakersfield resident urges action on cell service after emergency; planners point to new tower option

Lisa Mayer, a lifelong Bakersfield resident, told the planning commission that a recent emergency showed why mobile coverage is no longer optional. "It is time Bakersfield gets cell service...cell service is no longer a luxury. It's a necessity," Mayer said during public comment, recounting that her son could not use a phone to call 911 when a truck fire occurred on private property.

Planners and commissioners described an existing proposal for a two-way/public-safety radio tower on a private property that, they said, includes space for cellular carriers to add antennas. Bill, who identified himself as chairperson of the committee that held related hearings, told the group: "the tower has 1 public service antenna on the top, and there is space for 2 cellular services on the tower as well." Commissioners explained that tower companies typically build structures and carriers rent space rather than carriers constructing towers themselves.

Residents raised aesthetics and health concerns and urged the commission to identify elevated sites that would provide broad coverage while minimizing visual impact. Commissioners recommended that property owners who can host infrastructure reach out to carriers; they also discussed adding explicit communications priorities and site- identification to the town plan so developers and carriers better understand local preferences. The planning commission said it would fold communications and cell-service priorities into forthcoming plan revisions and follow up with the selectboard and regional contacts.