State Coastal Panel Blocks Phone Tower

The California Coastal Commission has derailed plans by Pacific Bell to install a 35-foot cellular telephone tower at Faria Beach.

On an 8-4 vote, commissioners Wednesday upheld a homeowner’s objections to the tower, approved earlier this year by the Board of Supervisors.

In overruling the supervisors, commissioners said they had no policies governing cellular telephone towers on land protected under the California Coastal Act. However, the commission said the company could reapply for permission to install the tower after such a policy is drafted.

“It’s not a total disappointment because we can bring it back,” said Pacific Bell spokesman Jeff McHaddad. “But the question is, how long will it take the Coastal Commission to come up with a policy?”

Pacific Bell wants to place four panel antennas on the 35-foot pole near Faria County Park. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a permit for the tower in March, unconvinced the tower would harm the tiny seaside community.

But Faria Beach resident Bill Stratton argued in his appeal that the permit warranted further environmental review.

He and others complained that the proposed antenna violated state coastal planning standards, would ruin the area’s scenic beauty, posed health risks to residents and could disturb wildlife.

McHaddad said the denial marks the first time he has been unsuccessful in 400 tries. He has even had towers approved by the Coastal Commission, he said. Stratton was the first person to complain about one of his permits, McHaddad said.