Residents of the scenic California location have talked for years about the need for better cell phone coverage, reports the Napa Valley Register. Agreeing, AT&T spokesperson Tom Johnson said, “Everyone knows as soon as you hit Sage Canyon, you have no service.”
Concerns about the ability to locate lost or injured hikers would be alleviated by the presence of a new tower, but what sort of tower and where to place it, are the subject of continued debate.
Overturning the opinion of the previous board, the current Napa County Planning Commission has opted for a 127-foot faux pine along Highway 128.
“Having spent a lot of time in the Moore Creek-Lake Hennessey open space, I’m well aware of the lack of cell coverage there,” said Commissioner Anne Cottrell. “To me, I see this cell tower as providing a big safety benefit for folks hiking and biking in that area.”
The tower would provide coverage throughout Moore Creek Park, a popular hiking and biking destination, reports the Napa Valley Register. The cell tower would be located on a ridge 360 feet above the road amidst actual oak trees and natural foliage and, according to proponents, make it “effectively unnoticeable” and in compliance with Napa County zoning laws.
AT&T would be the tower’s owner, with the possibility of other carriers coming on board later. While the tower will not be truly invisible, practical-minded Commissioner Jeri Hansen noted, “Let’s be honest, we all know that these trees are cell towers and we kind of chuckle and we can see them, because they’re way above the ridgeline. But we also recognize that there’s a need and a use for them.” Comments? Email Us.
February 18, 2019
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