Panel to Consider Cellular Tower Site

A city zoning board will hold a public hearing downtown this month to consider a proposal to build a cellular telephone transmission tower in Chatsworth, a project that has been denounced by neighbors as out of character for the community.

On Thursday, representatives from L.A. Cellular met with residents to discuss the project, a prelude to the Aug. 13 hearing at which the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals will hear input regarding the proposal.

Several weeks ago, a zoning administrator denied the company’s initial application for a conditional-use permit to build a 62-foot “monopole” and a 336-square-foot equipment shed at 10239 Vassar Ave., behind a photographic supply business.

Neighbors immediately criticized the site as inappropriate, noting that the tower would loom over adjacent buildings and potentially lower property values.

In appealing the permit’s denial, L.A. Cellular spokesman Steve Crosby said the company is now asking for a 45-foot tower and will modify its design to make the transmitters less obtrusive.

“I think there’s some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Walter Prince, chairman of the planning and land-use committee of PRIDE, a San Fernando Valley homeowners group. Although he characterized Thursday’s meeting as rancorous, Prince said L.A. Cellular has agreed to provide him with a list of alternate sites that were considered and rejected.

“I’m encouraged that they didn’t shut us off completely,” he added. Prince said he plans to contact property owners at each of the rejected locations to try to find a site that would be more acceptable to nearby residents.

The appeal hearing will take place at 9 a.m. Aug. 13 at 201 N. Figueroa St., Room 170, Los Angeles. For more information, call (213) 580-5527.