On April 26, Senate Bill 649, removing a city’s ability to control where technology is placed and transferring power to the state, was unanimously approved by the Senate Government and Finance Committee. The bill will make it easier for wireless telecom to distribute 5G technology via small cells. SB 649 “would provide that a small cell is a permitted use, not subject to a city or county discretionary permit, if the small cell meets specified requirements,” reported KCRA-TV.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, has caused cities like Roseville, Rocklin and San Francisco, plus the League of California Cities to fight back. A letter sent from the League to Sen. Hueso details the complaint about “limiting local discretionary review” of small cell sites and calls out the “unconstitutionality” of the bill by requiring cities to cooperate.
“It pretty much gives the small cells equipment the opportunity to go anywhere that’s publicly owned land or equipment in any type of neighborhood,” Roseville Government Relations Administrator Mark Wolinksi said.
The small cell antennas could potentially be constructed in residential areas near homes, shopping areas, parks, and schools or on public property and roads. The antenna might be the size of a large box attached to an existing pole or a new 120-foot tower. Losing the ability to control where towers, especially, are constructed is a major concern for California cities.
If the bill passes, cities will also lose out economically on collecting fees for leasing land to wireless technology providers.
According to KCRA-TV, proponents of the bill argue that in order to bring faster 5G technology to the masses, this type of arrangement will be beneficial. As SB 649 heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Verizon Wireless is already piloting its 5G wireless network in Sacramento.
May 1, 2017
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