Council Wrap-up: Memorial Tree, Historic Home Appeals and Wireless Antennas On Utility Poles

The Los Altos City Council had a full agenda Tuesday night. Here's a wrap-up of a few of the items council members voted on.

Patty Rosewater Memorial Tree Planting

The council voted unanimously in favor of planting a donated tree in Redwood Grove in memory of Environmental Commission Chairwoman Patty Rosewater, who died Sept. 4 after a sudden illness.

Serving since 2008, Rosewater is credited with working on the city’s solid waste contract to increase recycling, composting of organics for both residences and businesses, and advocating for public education and outreach about the new garbage services.

She also worked to increase public education and outreach for water conservation, reduction of plastic bag use and use of reusable bags.

”I think words cannot express how sad we are for her passing,” Mayor Ron Packard said. “She was young, vibrant, intelligent, enthusiastic, and it just shows how fragile life can be, and how we much need to be appreciative of the time we have and what we can do, and make sure we spend our time wisely in the service of others as she did.”

The local environmental nonprofit Acterra is donating the redwood tree to honor Rosewater.

Greentown Los Altos posted a story about Rosewater on its site earlier this month.

Historic Homes Designations

The council considered several appeals by property owners whose homes were recommended for historic resource designations by the Historical Commission.

The commission recently voted to place 17 properties on the Historic Resource Inventory list, but five owners appealed, fearing the designation would harm property values.

Properties on the list are more than 50 years old and contribute to neighborhood character, the community’s historic fabric and the city’s traditional character. It does not mean the homes cannot be modified or even destroyed at a later date.

After listening to each case, the council agreed with three owners and upheld their appeals. The appeal for 604 Milverton Rd. was denied, and another home at 166 Hawthorne Ave. was sent back to the commission for further review.

Wireless Antennas on Utility Poles

The council approved an encroachment permit for distributed wireless communication antenna systems. Translation: cell phone antenna “nodes” attached to public utility poles.

In 2005 the council updated the city’s wireless communications ordinance to encourage distributed antenna systems (DAS) over stand-alone monopole antennas, according to a staff report. Recent public utility commission rulings state that cities cannot deny wireless communication companies access to use utility poles in the public right-of-way (think streets, not backyards) for the antennas. They attach to the tops or sides of existing utility poles and have a range of about a half-mile.

Councilwoman Megan Satterlee called the nodes attached to utility poles "the most hideous things that I’ve seen come across my desk in years."

(For photos, see the PDF file attached to this article)

Although some on the council weren’t thrilled with the aesthetics, at the same time they acknowledged that poor cellphone coverage in Los Altos is a constant issue. City Attorney Jolie Houston said she would look into how much control over aesthetics the city might have.

According to staff and industry officials at the meeting, this will not stop a move to push utilities underground.

For more information, including agenda, attached staff reports and meeting video, see the city's website.