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Council upholds appeal, blocks proposed Buena Vista radio tower
Summary
After public testimony and staff presentation, the council voted to uphold an appeal and block the Planning Commission's approval of a proposed public‑safety radio tower at the Thousand Buena Vista site, citing siting and neighborhood impact concerns.
Residents and appellants told the council the proposed lattice radio tower at 1000 Buena Vista Road would be visually intrusive and posed neighborhood and CEQA concerns. Staff said the project was part of a six‑site replacement public‑safety radio system and emphasized cost and schedule advantages to reusing an existing site.
"This proposed tower is one of six sites that will make up the new public safety radio system," Technology Services Assistant Director Katie Reid told the council while summarizing options and renderings. Staff presented before/after renderings and said the structure itself is a roughly 150‑foot lattice tower with antennas extending total height to about 170 feet.
Appeal filers and residents asked staff to consider alternative city‑owned sites such as Riverwalk Park and to provide clearer visualizations and independent siting analysis. Beau Koenig, who filed the appeal, and other neighbors said alternative locations would better protect residential views and minimize direct proximity to homes and a nearby school.
After deliberation, Council Member Coleman moved to uphold the appeal and deny staff's recommendation to approve the director's review and zone modification for the tower; the motion carried with recorded no votes from Council members Arias and Gonzales. The council's decision blocks the proposed installation at the water‑department site and requires staff to revisit siting and project options.
