M 01-21-03-ReviewOfTelecommunicationsActOf1996TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
STUDY SESSION ON THE REVIEW OF THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996
January 21, 2003/Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in
the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 21,
2003, in study session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski,
Mike Wasserman and Mayor/Chairman Sandy Decker.
Staff:Debra Figone, Pamela Jacobs, Orry Korb, Bud Lortz, Tom Williams, Deborah
Ungo-McCormick, Jenny Haruyama
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ray Davis asked that speakers be allowed to comment after the study session was completed.
Charlene Delamajorie, outreach representative for First Five, Santa Clara County, spoke on the
Regional Partnership Initiative, supporting the Children and Families First Act. This legislation
called for local commissions to promote healthy development of young children. She spoke of
projects planned for the Southwest Partnership and will be calling Council to discuss these
programs.
STUDY SESSION ON THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996
Bud Lortz, Community Development Director, spoke of the work that staff completed on the
telecommunications ordinance. He spoke of the contacts that were made to the industry and the
community. He also discussed the professionals who have been employed to help staff prepare an
ordinance for Council’s consideration. He addressed establishing key regulations and keeping the
Town’s options open to review each application individually.
Orry Korb, Town Attorney, reviewed the Telecommunications Act and noted that Council can
continue to review all appropriate land use and design issues associated with the placement of
personal wireless facilities.
Tom Williams gave an overview of the proposed ordinance and offered options and standards
that Council could consider and which will be appropriate to work with in the context of the
community’s needs and the industry’s ability to do business. He spoke of stealth technology in
hiding or camouflaging the equipment. Ordinance will address the reduction of monopoles, the
removal of obsolete equipment and will highlight ideal locations.
Council Comments:
Mr. Glickman supported the need for identifying good service for our community. He
questioned the word “shall” in the ordinance as being inflexible when considering the changes
going on in the industry. He questioned the limit on height due to the possible needs due to
technical reasons and
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Town Council Minutes January 21, 2003
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
Council Continued:
Mr. Glickman continued: living so close to the hillside. He noted that technology might cause
some standards to need to be reviewed. He asked that the best possible service be offered to our
community with the least impacts to our neighborhoods.
Mrs. Decker asked that the service provider be asked to give its best service while serving the
company’s needs.
Ms McNutt noted that most locations seem to be located around Highway 85 and asked what the
incentives were to the industry to follow the guidelines. Ms McNutt asked that a short, one page
simplified explanation be developed to explain to the community how the staff, Council and
neighborhoods are arriving at these decisions.
Mr. Lortz explained that receiving a speedy permit was the incentive for following the Town’s
regulations. If the company preferred to establish its wireless in another manner the process
might include other options and require a more lengthy procedure.
Mr. Pirzynski noted that the community can set its parameters and act for the good of the people.
Council can move forward with directives to protect and benefit the community and work toward
the best possible service from this newly deregulated industry.
Speakers from the audiance:
Sam Weidman, thanked staff for the work that has been done and noted more needs to be
considered. He spoke of heights and asked for specific heights on existing poles, for instance
one at 125% height. Mr. Lortz noted that the ordinance will not be retroactive. If the tower in
Oak Meadow is chosen it will not be precluded due to its current height. The ordinance only
refers to new not existing hardware.
Ray Davis spoke of the good Orinda Ordinance. He asked that staff please read it and model this
community’s after it.
John Tice commended staff for their work. He asked that the ordinance include the balance of
neighbors and the whole of the community, residents and businesses, and noted that this industry
is paramount to a community that lies on the side of a hill.
COUNCIL CONCLUSION
Mayor Decker asked that the concerns of the industry and the residents be considered and that
the Cupertino and Orinda ordinances be reviewed. That staff, consultant and Council take time
for further review, as the information before Council tonight is presented in draft form.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Decker closed this evening’s meeting at 7:05 p.m.
ATTEST
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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