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Regulate the antennas
Editor:
The following is from a letter origianally addressed to the city clerk:
As Berkeley citizens currently involved in this issue, we would like to affirm that there is virtually unanimous support in the neighborhoods for more careful control of telecommunications systems throughout the city.
In addition to supporting the proposed amendment, we’d also like to suggest the following:
1. These systems should be treated like any other utility, and should be subject to the same zoning requirements as other utility services.
These installations have significant adverse impact on the quality of a residential neighborhood, and should not be treated as innocuous or "invisible" additions to existing structures or uses.
2. The FCC encourages cities to regulate the installation of wireless systems in order to reduce friction between the industry and local citizens.
3. We also believe that for clarity the current "Administrative Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Antennas" adopted by the City Council on December 10, 1996, should be incorporated into the current proposed amendment, at least by reference.
These guidelines recommend that antenna arrays should be located in the manufacturing zone whenever possible.
4. If an applicant wishes to locate telecommunications systems outside of the manufacturing zone, the application should include a description of the use and purpose of the installation so that city staff and citizens can weigh the costs and benefits of the installation.
5. Unfortunately, the proposed amendment and the current "Administrative Guidelines" will have no effect at all unless the Planning and Development Department enforces them, so it is important that the mayor, the council, and the city manager ensure that they are enforced.
6. In addition to requiring permits, it is also essential that the city maintain a record of telecommunications systems and their locations in Berkeley, so that the cumulative effect of these systems can be evaluated by both City staff and citizens.
Neighbors are concerned about new installations, but they are also concerned about additional transmitting antennas added to existing installations.
Additions are almost inevitable in this growing industry, once a location has been approved for telecommunications systems.
Constance and Kevin Sutton
Berkeley
Beth El’s ties to the community are relevant
Editor:
A letter to the Planet about Congregation Beth El’s proposal to build a new synagogue referred to “what a fine institution this is and how much it does for the community.”
Nothing new there. But then, amazingly, the letter says that this is irrelevant information that should not be a part of the discussion.
Would we decide to approve a new library or school or any other important building in Berkeley without reference to what that institution does for our community?
Beth El provides a remarkable array of valuable programs and services to residents of our city, and it seems to me that it is extremely relevant to say so.
The letter writer implies that the only real issue is the impact this new building would have on its site and neighborhood.
That issue is thoroughly addressed in the telephone book sized Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the project.
The EIR concludes that, based on studies widely respected experts in everything from traffic to parking to fish and trees, the new synagogue would create no significant impacts that cannot be addressed.
Our city officials will use the objective findings in the EIR, and the responses to that document from all interested parties, to determine the future of this project.
And the members of Beth El will be ready, as they have always been, to consider ways to make this beautifully designed building and the green space around it as much of an asset to the community as the congregation’s fine educational, spiritual and outreach programs already are.
Jerry Weintraub
Berkeley
Asphalt strip not fitting memorial to Brower
Editor:
While in general I support Mayor Dean's and Councilmember Olds's plan to honor David Brower, a car-oriented strip of pavement on top of a stretch of bay fill hardly seems the most fitting memorial for the founder of Friends of the Earth.
Why not a park, preserve, trail, or bike path instead, for example the 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreational Trail?
Robert Lauriston
Berkeley
