Before the San Benito County Planning Commission approves an
application for a wireless communications antenna in Tres Pinos,
commissioners said it must look like it belongs in rural
America.
Before the San Benito County Planning Commission approves an application for a wireless communications antenna in Tres Pinos, commissioners said it must look like it belongs in rural America.
Verizon Wireless applied for a use permit for the structure to offer better service and reception for the South County area. The current design reflects a windmill tower, but the commission said it looked to modern and instructed the company to return with a more fitting proposal.
“It seems more appropriate to have an older looking style,” Commissioner Gordon Machado said.
Commissioner Murrill Conley said the current design looked like a wind machine, and then asked if the blades turned when the wind blows.
Jennifer Donnelly, representing Verizon Wireless, said the windmill blades were stationary and served to disguise the communications site.
The commission directed Donnelly to return in 30 days with a design that complimented the rural atmosphere, either a windmill that looked like rural America or a tree.
The communications facility would extend wireless communication farther south into the county where wireless service is limited or non-existent.
Commissioner Dennis Madigan said there is a need for wireless communications in the area and that on many occasions reception is sporadic at best.
“I do know from first-hand experience at Bolado Park that there are very few places that cell phones work,” he said. “That may overcome any of my objections.”
Conley said the facility is exactly what the commission has been discussing for the past three years.
“I’m real happy to see this it is just a question of aesthetics,” he said.
Since it was not a productive windmill, commissioners said the structure could possibly resemble a tree.
“Since it is not a wind machine, it’s a phony baloney to begin with. Why don’t you go for that look,” Machado said.
He said he was not in favor of the pine tree among the oaks, but replacing the modern windmill blade with a more rural look would be alright with him.
Madigan expressed concerned the structure may be susceptible to blowing over during a storm because the blades did not turn.
Donnelly said the area is surrounded by tall oaks and a tree design, which looks like a pine tree, would not blend in.
“It would look out of place,” she said.
Planning Director Rob Mendiola agreed that a pine-tree design among the oaks would look just as obvious as a having a tower.
Conley said approving the non-functioning windmill design might draw comments from the public.
“Some might not understand that it is a tower for communications,” he said.
Commissioner Anthony Freitas asked if the windmill could be design to be an antenna with running water to make it look functional.
“I want the old-time windmill with water coming out of the spout,” he said.
Chairman Joe Tonascia said he did not care what the tower was designed to look like just as long as it did not look like a satellite tower.
“I just don’t want towers anymore,” he said. “I’m getting tired out looking at iron towers sticking out of the ground.”
