URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Send an email to Assemblyman Ed Chau stating that residents and parents of San Marino OPPOSE ASSEMBLY BILL 57.

Assemblyman Chau supported AB 57 which is a Wireless Industry Bill that would surrender even more of our City’s authority over the siting of wireless sites in our city.

Last June the City of San Marino voted on a Resolution to OPPOSE AB 57. Our City understands the negative consequences of this Wireless Industry bill.

AB 57 is a wireless bill that would greatly diminish municipal authority. It would create a shot clock where if a decision is not made by the city by the FCC time frames then the application would automatically be deemed approved. It would essentially remove all public participation because of strict time constraints so that analysis of aesthetics, structural safety, and historic structures would not be considered.

Please email ASAP to Assemblyman Chau’s office.

Also explain to Chau’s reps of our negative experiences with trying to get the two SMUSD cell towers code compliant.

One sentence is all that is needed but you can use this as an opportunity to express your frustration with the problems of the two SMUSD cell towers. Please feel free to copy and sign your name on the sample letter below or modify it any way you wish.

SAMPLE LETTER:

I OPPOSE AB 57.
There are two illegal cell towers on SMUSD property that were built without any permits or inspections. Both DSA Certification as well as a CUP were required for both cell towers. It has taken over 2 years and six figures to attempt to get the two cell towers either code compliant or relocated and we are still waiting for the cell towers owners’ compliance. Because of Federal and State wireless laws the City of San Marino and SMUSD are powerless in enforcing code compliance on the two ILLEGAL and STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE SMUSD cell towers. AB 57 would further tie the hands of the City of San Marino to regulate wireless infrastructure within our city.

The San Marino Tribune and the Outlook have published numerous stories over the last two years about the structural and seismic safety problems surrounding the two SMUSD cell towers.

Wireless commercial infrastructure has no place in California schools where Federal and State wireless laws obstruct code compliance and the safety of our schools.

Regards,
Your Name

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Please email ASAP to Assemblyman Chau’s office.
Here are the contacts at his office to send your email:
"Cuevas, Edmundo" <Edmundo.Cuevas@asm.ca.gov>
"Ma, Daisy" <Daisy.Ma@asm.ca.gov>

Please also CC Daniel Sanchez who is Senator Carol Liu’s Representative for San Marino:
“Daniel Sanchez” <daniel.sanchez@sen.ca.gov>

XXX

FRONT PAGE NEWS IN THE SAN MARINO TRIBUNE: March 12, 2015

Cell Tower at San Marino High School Slated for Removal

By Mitch Lehman

Score a victory for a small but persistent group of parents in the San Marino Unified School District who appear to have pulled off what was previously unthinkable: the removal of a 60’ cell tower that for eight years was located just west of Titan Stadium on the campus of San Marino High School.

“I think it’s a win for the community,” said Dr. Alex Cherniss, San Marino Unified School District superintendent. “We just don’t think a cell tower is compatible with the high school campus.”

The battle continues, however, over the fate of a cell tower located in the maintenance yard between Huntington Middle School and Valentine Elementary School that has drawn equal criticism – and was never officially permitted. That tower is owned by Verizon Wireless, who is, ironically, currently selling off some of their transmission structures with American Tower a frequent buyer.

Both tower owners still need to find a suitable replacement location and American Tower is reportedly looking at the abandoned HOWS Market, just east of San Marino City limits on Huntington Drive.

An earlier plan to relocate the Huntington/Valentine tower to the goat grazing median strip of Old Mill Rd. at the intersection of Huntington Drive was met with opposition from residents who live in that area.

“We are not in the end zone yet,” Cherniss added, after discussing the many options and issues that still remain. “We still have a several more details to iron out. But credit to the cell tower operators: They have heard our concerns.”

“On behalf of the Cell Tower Advisory Committee, we’re very excited about this,” said Chair Anthony Paul Diaz, who stated the pressing concern he heard was about the structural integrity of the tower.

“It’s a very positive step and it shows their willingness to be a good community partner.”

Diaz also acknowledged the advisory committee’s efforts to relocate the Huntington/Valentine tower, and added “there is some indication that Verizon is willing to work with the school district to relocate as well. We would like to see both cell towers relocated to a more appropriate area,” Diaz said.

The Tribune’s Krista Daly contributed to this story.

http://sanmarinotribune.com/cell-tower-at-san-marino-high-school-slated-for-removal/

GREAT NEWS!!! SMHS CELL TOWER TO BE RELOCATED. 

At March 10's School Board meeting, the Superintendent Cherniss announced that American Tower has agreed to relocate the cell tower away from SMHS.

The City is now responsible for finding a new site for relocation. Now the ball is in the City's court and we must continue to ask the City to conclude this as soon as possible.

We are thrilled. But efforts should not stop here. It's time for us to push the city even harder now for alternative sites for the TWO towers. Let's get things rolling while the momentum is in our favor.

Please take the time to thank the School Board for their efforts in making the impossible happen. 

Superintendent: Dr. Alex Cherniss <acherniss@smusd.us> and school board members:  http://www.smusd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=242685&type=d&pREC_ID=570576

Thank you everyone for your support!

PLEASE ATTEND THE SMUSD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015      7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL VOTING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN. 

This is our opportunity to talk about the unsafe structural safety of the two SMUSD cell towers.

Please ask the School board:  Why are both cell towers still standing after 2 years when the cell towers were not proven to be structurally safe since they never had permits nor inspections?  

The SMHS cell tower lies on top of the Raymond Earthquake Fault Line and has been informally deemed an unsafe construction by the Division of State Architect, DSA.  Why after 2 years has no progress been made with the SMHS cell tower to get it either code compliant or relocated?

Every year the School Board votes on the Comprehensive School Safety Plan, CSSP.  Last year during this meeting we told the Board Members that the fall zone of both SMUSD cell towers would impact the evacuation plans of 3 school campuses.  The School Board ignored our comments and approved the CSSP without any changes to the evacuation plan.  

WHERE:  San Marino Unified School District

                 1665 West Drive San Marino, CA 91108 

LINK TO THE AGENDA:

ITEM #7 (m), CONSENT

http://smusd.csbaagendaonline.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/smusd-eAgenda.woa/wa/displayMeeting?meetingID=2043