Venice Council Rejects AT&T Plans for Cell Towers on Washington Boulevard

The Venice Neighborhood Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to deny approval for three wireless antennas that AT&T wants to install on the roof of a hotel on Washington Boulevard.

More than 550 people signed a petition presented to the council saying they opposed the installation of  wireless antennas atop the Best Western Plus at 737 W. Washington Blvd.

Reliant Land Services on behalf of AT&T was seeking the council's approval of a variance from the Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan, which sets guidelines for new developments in Venice. The proposed antennas would require a variance because they would exceed height restrictions and setback rules.

Vincent Radzicki of Reliant Land Services told the council the new antennas were necessary to reduce dropped calls among AT&T customers in the Venice area.

Mark Shockley, a Venice resident opposed to the installation of the antennas, said that a majority of the petition signers were AT&T customers.

Eric Freeman, who also opposed the installation of the antennas, said their 37-foot height would create visual blight.

He also rejected AT&T's claim that the antennas would only create "ambient noise," saying that he's seen smaller arrays that generate loud buzzing noises.

"If you want to consider ambient noise, say, a leaf-blower, then this fits right in," Freeman said. "It's not ambient noise. Anyone in the vicinity of this after the sun sets will not get a night's sleep."

Councilmember Mariana Aguilar reminded fellow board members before they voted that they should not allow variances to the Venice planning guidelines except in limited situations.

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