Proposed Verizon Cell Tower Site in Carpinteria on Hold While New Location is Reviewed
John Palminteri
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new cell tower site in the heart of downtown Carpinteria has been met with a pushback from some business owners and citizens, but a new site could be the solution.
The proposal is for the location on the corner of Carpinteria Ave. and Linden Ave. where a famous clock tower stands.
The sides would be widened out and the towers would be concealed. Verizon and Centerline Communications believe this is the best spot to improve the signal strength they need. They were represented by Celeste Magennis from Centerline at a recent meeting.
The city’s Planning Commission has been evaluating the site after it went through other headings, including the Architectural Review Board.
Verizon has said other sites were looked at or the owners were not interested, but it reported no response from the county.
The owners of Pacific Health Foods near the proposed site said the tower would have a negative impact on the store’s customer base. There was also a concern about the strength of the buildings structure to handle new cell towers.
“We definitely had some customers who were concerned about having the 5G towers on the roof and whether you believe one way or another customer perception is such a big thing,” said Nathan Noll Pacific Health Foods store owner.
In a late move at the hearing, County Supervisor Roy Lee said his office did not get messages about the project, and when he learned about the issue, he stepped up with a solution.
“My office never received those notices, not anybody’s fault. Maybe they were lost in the mail but something was amiss,” he said.
Lee said he would facilitate a review of a site on Walnut Ave. at the Veteran’s building as a possible answer to the location controversy. “The county is open to having those cell towers at our facility on Walnut and we will be more than happy work with Verizon to bring forth the best project possible.”
The project plan will be back in front of the commission in April.
Noll is hoping the solution is reached and wants to stay in the store’s current location without the towers. “It has worked out really fine. Great location. It is downtown on the main strip we have put a lot of money into this building over the years as well too so, it would be nice if we didn’t have to move.”
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