The wireless communication tower would be about 30 feet high on a current dirt portion of the La Jolla bike path.
An application to install a new AT&T wireless communication facility on the La Jolla bike path, sometimes referred to as the Fay Avenue bike path, has some in the community pumping the brakes.
The facility is designed as a 30-foot, standalone building with a roof and would consist of nine panel antennas, nine remote radio units and ancillary equipment for support to the facility, including a 250-foot enclosure with equipment cabinet and a diesel generator, according to the city of San Diego’s Nov 26 Notice of Application.
The facility would be constructed at 6201-6303 La Jolla bike path, a few yards from the intersection with Via Del Norte in an area of dirt normally accessed by children on bikes and others for recreational purposes.
Neighbors have been at the site daily since receiving the notice, educating passersby about the tower and their objections.
“People believe there’s a danger,” Dorothy Herman said, pointing to a research article circulating by another group protesting a different wireless facility in La Jolla due to concerns about the long-term effects of radiation and electromagnetic exposure from the equipment.
This is “not just about us here right now,” she said. “It’s about preservation for future generations. … This is a big deal.”
In addition to health concerns, David Kressin, who said his home is closest to the proposed tower, spoke to the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board Dec 9 about his opposition to the privatization of public open space.
AT&T is “taking over what is essentially a park,” Kressin said. “It’s been used by hundreds of people every day, walking, riding their bikes, walking their dog, running high school runs.”
Additionally, maintenance vehicles will have to access the bike path once the tower is built, he said.
The tower “should not happen,” Kressin said.
However, that particular area is a residential zone, with open space use, which is different from an open space zone.
In a residential zone with open space use, commercial activity like a wireless communication facility is allowed.
Such activity is prohibited in an open space zone, which is reserved for limited recreational use and conservation of natural resources only.
Per the city of San Diego’s Land Development Code, wireless communication facilities may be permitted on designated parkland “except on public right-of-way within dedicated parkland, with antennas located less than 100 feet from the property line of a premises with a dwelling unit, child care center or school with children enrolled in any grade kindergarten through grade 8.”
Several other neighbors voiced concern at Parks & Beaches, and days later at the La Jolla Town Council’s Dec 12 meeting, with the proximity of the tower not only to private residences but also the senior care facility AvantGarde and La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School, which is fewer than 750 feet away from the proposed site.
“We’ve tried to get everybody together, trying to figure out the direction we need to take to prevent this,” said resident Steve Cate Dec 9, who called for legislation to prevent other companies from taking on similar construction in open space.
Lewis Waldman, who lives near the proposed site, shared Dec 12 that he’d written a letter to AT&T leadership and encouraged others to do the same.
“The open space through which the bike path passes is not an appropriate location for a 30-foot tower with accompanying generator,” Waldman’s letter reads. “The pristine natural area that includes the La Jolla Bike Path is used by families for a wide range of outdoor activities.”
Patti Garay (center, standing) lays out her concerns about a proposed AT&T wireless tower.
The construction of the tower is a “potential … heartbreaking loss to our community,” said resident Patti Garay to Town Council.
Citing a 2020 New Hampshire State Commission on 5G Health and Environment recommendation that cell towers have a 1,640-foot setback “from residentially-zoned areas, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers and schools,” Garay called on La Jollans to “put up a wall of opposition for as long as it takes to save this open space.”
LJP&B heard the item as discussion only without a formal vote, though many members voiced their opposition to such a project.
La Jolla Town Council President Mary Soriano said the council will host a “town hall” forum on the wireless tower issue in February.
The project is currently being reviewed by city staff, according to city spokesperson Richard Berg.
“As is standard practice, the applicant has been encouraged to arrange a meeting and present their project to the La Jolla Community Planning [Association,]” he said, adding that LJCPA review is not required.
There is currently no forecasted presentation date to any group; the application requires multiple permits, resulting in a San Diego Planning Commission decision, Berg said, which will be appealable to City Council.
In response to lajolla.ca’s inquiry about the project, AT&T issued the following statement:
“We understand the importance of keeping our customers connected and we continue to look for ways to improve our network and provide better service through additional investments in La Jolla. This proposed cell site will enhance the area’s coverage and help provide residents and first responders with faster, more reliable wireless service. … In California, we invested nearly $14.4 billion in our network infrastructure from 2019-2023.”
AT&T did not respond to a follow-up inquiry asking if other La Jolla sites are being considered.
© lajolla.ca
