T Mobile

NORTH GLENDALE — Neighbors of a planned T-Mobile cellular antenna in Cumberland Heights have upped the ante in their fight against the project, forming an action group that will soon wage a public relations battle with the wireless carrier in an effort to have the plans scrapped altogether. A key part of their effort, neighbors said, will be to have City Hall take up their cause despite federal regulations that trump municipalities when it comes to the installation of wireless communications equipment in residential neighborhoods.

Call it grass roots. Call it David versus Goliath. Call it the tail wagging the dog. Regardless, as the Glendale City Council prepares an ordinance that could block installation of a cell tower in northwest Glendale for as long as 45 days, call it a victory for the citizens of the neighborhood surrounding Cumberland Road. The telecommunications giant T-Mobile planned in November to begin construction on an antenna near the intersection of Cumberland Road and North Pacific Avenue.

Proposed placement of structure at reservoir prompted concerns over residents' health.See the related story on Page A3 LA CRESCENTA -- The Crescenta Valley Water District board has rejected plans for a new T-Mobile cellphone tower at a foothill reservoir, citing concerns over the effect such towers could have on residents' health. About 25 residents opposed the proposed tower at a board meeting Tuesday night attended by a representative of T-Mobile's building subcontractor, Sequoia Deployment Services.

CITY HALL — An emotional band of nearly 100 residents told the City Council on Wednesday night of their opposition to a proposed cellular antenna in northwest Glendale. The council, which was to mull a future ordinance that would have placed a temporary moratorium on cell-tower installation, did so before press time. Still, there was an indication that the council would move forward with an ordinance to halt installation and allow the city time to work with T-Mobile, which wants to install the antenna on the 500 block of Cumberland Avenue.

It was a short agenda, but a long meeting as Crescenta Valley Town Council members question the Crescenta Valley Water District board of directors about a proposed cellular tower site rental agreement with T-Mobile at the board's Jan. 10 meeting. The board also considered an Information Technology Position for the District as well as a contract to move forward with a GIS services on the sewer collection system. The District is considering leasing space at the Shields reservoir site to T-Mobile for a period of five years with a renewal option.

CITY HALL — Residential opposition to cellular antennas and the federal laws that regulate them are expected to collide Wednesday when the City Council weighs a 45-day moratorium to allow more time to suss out their legal options. Cumberland Heights residents have been opposing a planned T-Mobile “micro-cell” site in the city’s right-of-way there for more than a month, forming an action group and setting up an active mass media and online campaign to thwart the federally approved application.

NORTH GLENDALE — Cumberland Heights residents have entrenched themselves in opposition to a planned T-Mobile cellular antenna there, calling on city officials to back their position despite federal rules that allow the equipment in their neighborhoods. About 50 residents mobilized at a neighborhood meeting Thursday to solidify their opposition to a wireless “micro-cell” site proposed for the 500 block of Cumberland Road in the Verdugo hillside. The meeting took place a week after residents who expressed concerns to the City Council over the planned project said they got a less-than-inspiring response.

After a five-hour meeting Tuesday night, the water district board of directors decided to cease negotiations with T-Mobile on a proposed cell phone tower near Shields Reservoir in La Crescenta. The original consensus after board members and residents asked technical questions of T-Mobile representative Paul Gerst, was to allow Gerst to bring an expert knowledgeable in what health effects the tower would have to the board's Feb. 7 meeting. About three hours later, board members decided to call the whole thing off. "The cell tower topic came under discussion again when we got to reports from committees.

CITY HALL — The City Council tonight is expected to extend a moratorium on cellular towers in residential neighborhoods for another year. The current moratorium, which was put in place to quell protests from north Glendale residents over a proposed T-Mobile antenna in the city’s right-of-way, is due to expire June 24. Attorneys were directed to come back with a draft ordinance that would establish a citywide policy for handling neighborhood...

CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday is expected to authorize city officials to weigh in on a federal national broadband plan that could affect applications for cellular antennas in local neighborhoods, a process that ignited controversy earlier this year in North Glendale when T-Mobile tried to install a so-called micro-cell site in the city’s right-of-way. The Federal Communications Commission is in the process of creating the national broadband plan as part of the Obama administration’s economic recovery plan and is gathering public input.

Want to figure out how to best get from Pasadena to Burbank using public transit? There soon could be an app for that. When it comes to traversing the disparate public transportation lines from Burbank to Glendale and on to Pasadena, all the maps, times, costs and routes can seem overwhelming. But local officials are working on a website that will offer residents a range of easy-to-decipher options based on user profiles. Officials also plan to create a mobile application with a check-in feature as they attempt to make it easier for commuters to use public transit when traveling along the east-west corridor.

Dunsmore Elementary students on Tuesday met the source of their cheese and yogurt - Holly and Milk Dud, a cow and calf that were brought by as part of a “mobile dairy” classroom. For some children, it was their first time seeing live cows up close. Holly and Milk Dud, the calf, were introduced by Laura LaFayette of the Dairy Council of California in her mobile classroom - a truck and trailer parked on the schoolyard. There she showed the children the nutrient-filled alfalfa hay that cows eat, regurgitate into cud, then swallow and digest in their four-compartment stomach.

GLENDALE — Police stopped 70 motorists for allegedly using a hand-held cell phone Saturday while driving in the city, officials said. The grant-funded enforcement operation was part of a larger effort at tamping down on the number of distracted drivers, Glendale Police Sgt. Dennis Smith said. In most cases, motorists stopped during the operation were found to be talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving, he said. “We want to change the mindset of people in our city,” Smith said.

CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to more strictly regulate where and how cellular antennas are built in residential neighborhoods, a response to homeowner concerns that the equipment is unsightly and pulls down property values. The regulations take effect in 60 days and cap a yearlong process that started when north Glendale residents successfully organized against a proposed T-Mobile micro-cell site. Antennas and cell towers will be vetted through a tiered system in which cellular equipment proposed for residential areas or in an unattractive form would face a more intense review process, including a requirement for telecommunications companies to prove why they’re needed.

CITY HALL — The City Council tonight voted unanimously to more strictly regulate where and how cellular antennas are built in residential neighborhoods, a response to homeowner concerns that the equipment is unsightly and pulls down property values. The regulations take effect in 60 days and cap a yearlong process that was sparked when north Glendale residents successfully organized against a proposed T-Mobile micro-cell site. Antennas and cell towers will be vetted through a tiered system in which cellular equipment proposed for residential areas or in an unattractive form would face a more intense review process, including a requirement for telecommunications companies to prove why they’re needed.

The council introduced a set of regulations for local cellular antennas, setting the stage for a final vote next week. Officials have spent more than a year crafting the regulations. The council first introduced a moratorium on all cellular antenna applications in response to a T-Mobile proposal for the 500 block of Cumberland Road that prompted residents to organize an opposition campaign. The proposed regulations — which greatly increase city oversight of the antenna’s placement — take a tiered approach in which cellular equipment proposed for residential areas or in an “unattractive form” would face a more intense review process.

CITY HALL — The City Council next week will review the final draft of regulations for local cellular antennas — capping a lengthy process sparked by a controversial cell tower planned for a north Glendale neighborhood. Officials have spent more than a year crafting the regulations. The City Council first introduced a moratorium on all cellular antenna applications in response to a T-Mobile proposal for the 500 block of Cumberland Road that prompted residents to organize an opposition campaign.

CITY HALL — Draft regulations on cellular antennas won’t keep them out of residential areas, stakeholders told the Planning Commission on Wednesday. Telecommunications representatives, who say the so-called micro-cell sites help meet consumer demand, have often locked horns with residents, who argue that the unsightly equipment pulls down property values and may pose a health threat. But Monday, they agreed on one thing: The city’s attempt at regulating the antennas would do little to stop their proliferation.

For more polls, visit The 818 Now. (1) Yes. The city should require carriers to not only prove why they need to place their antennas at desired locations, and face denial if their proposals are deemed unsightly. (40 votes, 56%) (2) No. This gives the city too much control over cellular antennas – we don’t do this for similar services, why single out mobile phone carriers? (32 votes, 44%)

CITY HALL — The City Council tonight is expected to extend a moratorium on cellular towers in residential neighborhoods for another year. The current moratorium, which was put in place to quell protests from north Glendale residents over a proposed T-Mobile antenna in the city’s right-of-way, is due to expire June 24. Attorneys were directed to come back with a draft ordinance that would establish a citywide policy for handling neighborhood...