Two cell tower proposals are currently under consideration in Arcata Bottoms, CA. As the Mad River Union reports, both candidates have been pitching their projects, hoping to get the green light from the Arcata Bottoms Planning Commission.
The source projects that the winner will be PWM, Inc. Their design features a 130-foot tall lattice tower located on property owned by Sun Valley Floral Farms. The other contender, AT&T, would place its 100-foot cell tower near the Janes Road intersection and disguise it as a water tower.
While some attendees reportedly expressed skepticism, Ashley Smith of the Epic Wireless Group LLC consulting firm, told those assembled that there was a “significant gap in services.” She spoke on behalf of AT&T, noting that their proposal represented the “least intrusive” route.
From the other corner, Tom McMurray, a consultant hired by PWM, suggested that AT&T had picked a poor location, calling it a wetland, which AT&T denied. McMurray also pointed out the PWM holds a financial advantage since they have existing agreements with all the major carriers. He said that PWM holds “master lease agreements” that result in “lower rates on our towers.”
Planning Director John Ford addressed the group, saying the Planning Commission could approve both towers. He told the Mad River Union that it was also possible that both proposals could be rejected. Further discussion will continue at the next meeting in early August.
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