Backyard utility poles wireless installations

In July 2017, the council adopted a policy for regulating the installation of wireless facilities on the public right of way based on the diligent work of the Public Works Commission (Since then, this commission has been combined with the Sustainability Commission to be the Infrastructure and Sustainability Commission). Now it’s up to the Planning Commission to recommend to the council regulations for small cell installations on backyard utility poles. There will be a study session this month or next to do just that.

Backyard installations are already taking place in the South Bay and last month AT&T told the city it could expect at least 450 small cell wireless installations in both the public right of way and residential yards. These backyard installations can take place as a result of public utility easements, the legal mechanism which allows telecom providers to enter residents’ backyards to install cable TV, phone and electrical equipment on the utility pole located on their property. This equipment has been installed on backyard poles for decades and establishes the precedent to allow the telecom providers to enter a resident’s backyard to install small cell wireless equipment, which is also a public utility just like telephone and electricity. But hopefully the city will be able to enact regulations in time to protect these residents.

Susan Rowinski, a member of the combined commissions and formerly a member of the Public Works Commission who was instrumental in writing the policy about right of way installations, suggests amending the zoning code to use the language regarding small cell fixtures on the public right of way to also apply to backyard installations. Notification to residents is especially critical.

When the Planning Commission met in November to consider the issue, the planning staff recommended using the SPAR (Site Plan and Architectural Review) language instead which has fewer protection for backyard installations. There was also a question of what the city could legally regulate if there are already easements on a residential property. The commission is supposed to hash out these concerns at its study session and to send a recommendation on to the City Council.

Three cheers for our volunteer commission members who work so hard to advise the council on matters so important to the community.

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Now with so many women elected to Congress and with the Bay Area congressional delegation so well represented by women, it’s time to remember one of the original female office holders in our county. Linda Craig first let us know the sad news that Jean Fassler, the first woman ever elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1964, died in November 2018 in Grass Valley, California at the age of 99. Her political career started when she was elected in 1951 as the first mayor of Pacifica. She paved the way for future female supervisors including Anna Eshoo, Jackie Speier, Rose Jacobs Gibson, Mary Griffin, Adrienne Tissier and Carole Groom.

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The pigeons are not on the grass, alas, but on Fourth Avenue in front of Starbucks in downtown San Mateo. That’s a sign of dirty streets and food scraps, an invitation to the scavenger birds. Outdoor patrons need to clean up their leftovers before leaving. Despite this blip, downtown remains a very popular place to be with more than 140 restaurants, a movie theater, exercise venues and lots of foot traffic.

Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.