PC RESO 2025-005 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A
CONDITIONAL WIRELESS FACILITY PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR
THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF AN EXISTING AT&T
SCREENED WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY,
INCLUDING APPROVAL FOR THE FACILITY TO EXCEED 16
FEET IN HEIGHT AND TO BE LOCATED WITHIN 200 FEET OF A
RESIDENCE AND ANOTHER WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, ALONG WITH THE
REPLACEMENT OF SOME EXISTING ANTENNAS AND
RELATED EQUIPMENT ON THE ROOF AND FACADES OF THE
OFFICE BUILDING LOCATED AT 29000 S. WESTERN AVENUE
(CASE NO. CELS2025-0001).
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2006, the Planning Commission adopted P.C.
Resolution No. 2006-40 (Case No. ZON2005-00508) to allow Cingular (which was
acquired by AT&T in December 2006) to install eight wireless panel antennas positioned
behind two radio frequency screen enclosures mounted to the northern and northwestern
facade of the office building and the installation of four wireless panel antennas positioned
behind a radio frequency screen wall at the southeastern portion of rooftop metal screen
wall, with the related support equipment to be located behind the metal parapet screen
wall; and,
WHEREAS, on November 22, 2011, the Planning Commission adopted P.C.
Resolution No. 2011-37 (Case No. ZON2011-00042) to allow AT&T to replace twelve
existing 4-foot-tall antennas with twelve new 8-foot-tall antennas in the same general
location on the building façade behind modified screens and install additional equipment
cabinets on the roof; and,
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2014, the Planning Commission adopted P.C. Resolution
No. 2014-18 (Case No. ZON2014-00163), to allow the replacement of 12 existing
antennas and the installation of 27 new remote radio units (RRUs) within existing and
new screening on the roof of the four-story office building with an expiration date of July
8, 2024, pursuant to Condition of Approval No. 18; and,
WHEREAS, after 2012, changes to FCC law meant that minor antenna and
equipment changes were processed through over-the-counter permits (Minor Site Plan
Review Permits); and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 682, which
updated the City's Wireless Telecommunication Code provisions. More specifically, the
updates created Chapter 17.73 (Wireless Telecommunications Facilities On Private
Property) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC), which included the
replacement of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with a Conditional Wireless Facility
P C. Resolution No 2025-05
Page 1 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
Permit (CWFP) as the appropriate application type for the permitting of certain types of
wireless telecommunication facilities (WTFs); and,
WHEREAS, On May 21, 2025, the Applicant, Infraservices (on behalf of AT&T
(Permittee)), submitted a CWFP application for the continued operation of the VVTF on
the project site, including approval for the facility to exceed 16 feet in height and to be
located within 200 feet of a residence and another wireless telecommunications facility,
along with the replacement of some existing antennas and related equipment on the roof
and façades of the office building located at 29000 S. Western Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, on May 29, 2025, Staff deemed the application complete for
processing after the submittal of additional information by the Applicant; and,
WHEREAS, on June 5, 2025, a public notice was published in the Peninsula News
and mailed to all property owners within a 500-foot radius of the project site, providing a
15-day time-period to submit comments for the June 24, 2025 Planning Commission
meeting; and,
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2025, the property owner withdrew authorization of the
requested application to further coordinate leasing details resulting in the cancellation of
the June 24, 2025 Planning Commission meeting; and,
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2025, the property owner provided authorization for the
continued processing of the requested application; and,
WHEREAS, on July 3, 2025, a public notice for the proposed project was published
in the Peninsula News and mailed to all property owners within a 500-foot radius of the
project site, providing a 15-day time-period to submit comments; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and
Substances Statement), the Planning Commission found no evidence that the Conditional
Wireless Facility Permit will have a significant effect on the environment as the project is
located on an existing building, and therefore, the proposed project has been found to be
categorically exempt under Class 1 (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301) and none of the
exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, section
15300.2 apply to the project and the project does not present any unusual circumstances;
and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 22, 2025, at
which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence.
P.C. Resolution No 2025-05
Page 2 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The installation complies with development standards and
regulations contained in RPVMC §17.73.210 that are related to design standards,
setbacks and visual impacts. The approved replacement of three new antennas and
Baseband Unit (BBU) will be placed within a preferred location within a commercial zoning
designation within a commercial zoning designation. The project does not impact vehicular
and/or pedestrian circulation within the existing project site and does not impede access
to the site. Furthermore, there is no significant view impairment as there are no residential
properties which look directly over the project site.
Section 2: The new and existing antennas and accessory equipment are within
the existing screened rooftop and behind existing screen enclosures on the north and
west facades of the building. The equipment enclosures are designed as integral parts of
the existing structure which minimize any visual and aesthetic impacts to the surrounding
areas.
Section 3: The AT&T WTF is approved to be located within 200 feet from a
residential dwelling and another WTF, pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.070. Specifically,
approving the CWFP in this location is needed for adequate wireless coverage in an
area where service has existed since 2006. Placing AT&T's facility on the roof of an
existing commercial building where a decommissioned Sprint site is located behind
existing screening meets both technical and regulatory criteria, including minimizing
public risk, aligning with preferred siting guidelines under RPVMC §17.73.210, and
supporting the City's goals of maintaining aesthetics and scenic views per RPVMC
§17.73.010.
Section 4: The WTF has been approved to exceed the maximum height limit of
16-feet as required for the Commercial General zoning district, as locating the WTF at a
height of 16 feet would not be feasible as antenna signals would be obstructed by nearby
buildings, resulting in inadequate signal coverage in the area. Additionally, adding
antennas and accessory equipment at the 16-foot height level would adversely impact
the design of the existing building. Lastly, the WTF will be screened by the existing roof-
mounted and façade-mounted screens.
Section 5: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall set forth the grounds for
appeal and any specific action being requested by the appellant. Any appeal letter must
be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this decision, or by 5:30 PM on
Wednesday, August 6, 2025. An appeal fee must accompany any appeal letter. If no
appeal is filed timely, the Planning Commission's decision will be final at 5:30 PM on
August 6, 2025.
Section 6: For the foregoing reasons, findings and determinations and based
on the information and findings included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 3 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
proceedings, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby
conditionally approves a Conditional Wireless Facility Permit to allow for the continued
operation of an existing AT&T screened wireless telecommunications facility, including
approval for the facility to exceed 16 feet in height and to be located within 200 feet of a
residence and another wireless telecommunications facility, along with the replacement
of some existing antennas and related equipment on the roof and façades of the office
building located at 29000 S. Western Avenue (Case No. CELS2025-0001), as
conditioned in Exhibit 'A'.
1
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 4 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of July 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS CHRISTEN, GEORGE, O'CONNOR, SANTAROSA,
AND CHAIR NULMAN
NOES: COMMISSIONER CHURA AND VICE-CHAIR BRACH
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Eric I rn
Chair
L
Br Pi.,tr orbs: A!CP
Community Development Department; and,
Secretary of the Planning Commission
P C. Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 5 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
EXHIBIT 'A'
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
CASE NO. CELS2025-0001
(AT&T— 29000 S. Western Avenue)
General Conditions:
1. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the applicant
and the property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they
have read, understand, and agree to all conditions of approval contained in this
Resolution. Failure to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days
following the date of this approval shall render this approval null and void.
2. Prior to conducting any work in the public right of way, such as for curb cuts,
dumpsters, temporary improvements and/or permanent improvements, the
applicant shall obtain an encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works.
3. Approval of this permit shall not be construed as a waiver of applicable and
appropriate zoning regulations, or any Federal, State, County and/or City laws and
regulations. Unless otherwise expressly specified, all other requirements of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) shall apply.
4. Pursuant to RPVMC §17.78.040, the Director of Community Development is
authorized to make minor modifications to the approved plans and any of the
conditions of approval if such modifications will achieve substantially the same
results as would strict compliance with the approved plans and conditions.
Substantial changes to the project shall be considered a revision and require
approval by the final body that approved the original project, which may require
new and separate environmental review and public notification.
5. If the Applicant has not submitted an application for a building permit for the
approved new antennas and accessory equipment or not commenced construction
of the approved new antennas and accessory equipment as described in RPVMC
§17.86.070 within one year of the final effective date of this Notice of Decision,
approval of the new antennas and accessory equipment shall expire and be of no
further effect unless, prior to expiration, a written request for extension is filed with
the Community Development Department and approved by the Planning
Commission.
6. The project development on the site shall conform to the specific standards
contained in these conditions of approval or, if not addressed herein, shall conform
to the residential development standards of the RPVMC, including but not limited
to height, setback and lot coverage standards.
7. Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may be
cause to revoke the approval of the project pursuant to the revocation procedures
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 6 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
contained in RPVMC §17.86.060 or administrative citations as described in
RPVMC §1.16.
8. In the event that any of these conditions conflict with the recommendations and/or
requirements of another permitting agency or City department, the stricter standard
shall apply.
9. Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be
completed in substantial conformance with the plans stamped APPROVED by the
City with the effective date of this Resolution.
10.The construction site and adjacent public and private properties and streets shall
be kept free of all loose materials resembling trash and debris in excess of that
material used for immediate construction purposes. Such excess material may
include, but not be limited to: the accumulation of debris, garbage, lumber, scrap
metal, concrete asphalt, piles of earth, salvage materials, abandoned or discarded
furniture, appliances or other household fixtures.
11.Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday
through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, with no construction activity
permitted on Sundays or on the legal holidays specified in RPVMC, §17.96.920.
During demolition, construction and/or grading operations, trucks shall not park,
queue and/or idle at the project site or in the adjoining street rights-of-way before
7:00 AM Monday through Friday and before 9:00 AM on Saturday, in accordance
with the permitted hours of construction stated in this condition. When feasible to
do so, the construction contractor shall provide staging areas on-site to minimize
off-site transportation of heavy construction equipment. These areas shall be
located to maximize the distance between staging activities and neighboring
properties, subject to approval by the Building Official.
12.All grading, landscaping and construction activities shall exercise effective dust
control techniques, either through screening and/or watering.
13.All construction sites shall be maintained in a secure, safe, neat and orderly
manner, to the satisfaction of the City's Building Official. All construction waste and
debris resulting from a construction, alteration or repair project shall be removed
on a weekly basis by the contractor or property owner. Existing or temporary
portable bathrooms shall be provided during construction. Portable bathrooms
shall be placed in a location that will minimize disturbance to the surrounding
property owners, to the satisfaction of the City's Building Official.
14. Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(1), the City's grant or grant by operation of
law of an eligible facility permit constitutes a federally mandated modification to the
underlying permit or approval for the subject tower or base station. The city's grant
or grant by operation of law of an eligible facility permit shall not extend the term
of the underlying wireless facility permit or any city-authorized extension thereto.
P C. Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 7 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
15.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(2), in the event that any court of competent
jurisdiction invalidates any portion of Section 6409(a) or any FCC rule that
interprets Section 6409(a) such that federal law would not mandate approval for
any eligible facility permit(s), such permit(s) shall automatically expire one year
from the effective date of the judicial order, unless the decision would not authorize
accelerated termination of previously approved eligible facility permits. A permittee
shall not be required to remove its improvements approved under the invalidated
eligible facility permit when it has submitted an application for either a conditional
wireless facility permit or an administrative wireless facility permit for those
improvements before the one-year period ends. The director may extend the
expiration date on the accelerated permit upon a written request from the permittee
that shows good cause for an extension.
16.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(3), the City's grant or grant by operation of law
of an eligible facility permit does not waive, and shall not be construed to waive,
any standing by the city to challenge Section 6409(a), any FCC rules that interpret
Section 6409(a) or any eligible facility permit.
17.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(4), the permittee shall maintain compliance at
all times with all federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations, orders or other
rules that carry the force of law ("laws") applicable to the permittee, the subject
site, the facility or any use or activities in connection with the use authorized in this
permit. The permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees that this obligation is
intended to be broadly construed and that no other specific requirements in these
conditions are intended to reduce, relieve or otherwise lessen the permittee's
obligations to maintain compliance with all laws.
18.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(5), the Director may enter onto the facility area
to inspect the facility upon reasonable notice to the permittee. The permittee shall
cooperate with all inspections. The city reserves the right to enter or direct its
designee to enter the facility and support, repair, disable or remove any elements
of the facility in emergencies or when the facility threatens imminent harm to
persons or property.
19.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(6), the permittee shall at all times, maintain
accurate contact information for all parties responsible for the facility, which shall
include a phone number, street mailing address and email address for at least one
natural person who is responsible for the facility. All such contact information for
responsible parties shall be provided to the director upon permit grant, annually
thereafter, and permittee's receipt of the director's written request.
20.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(7), the permittee and, if applicable, the
nongovernment owner of the private property upon which the tower and/or base
station is installed shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city, its agents,
officers, officials and employees (a) from any and all damages, liabilities, injuries,
P.0 Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 8 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
losses, costs and expenses and from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, writs
of mandamus and other actions or proceedings brought against the city or its
agents, officers, officials or employees to challenge, attack, seek to modify, set
aside, void or annul the city's approval of the permit, and (b) from any and all
damages, liabilities, injuries, losses, costs and expenses and any and all claims,
demands, lawsuits or causes of action and other actions or proceedings of any
kind or form, whether for personal injury, death or property damage, arising out of
or in connection with the activities or performance of the permittee or, if applicable,
the private property owner or any of each one's agents, employees, licensees,
contractors, subcontractors or independent contractors. The permittee shall be
responsible for costs of determining the source of the interference, all costs
associated with eliminating the interference, and all costs arising from third party
claims against the city attributable to the interference. In the event the city
becomes aware of any such actions or claims the city shall promptly notify the
permittee and the private property owner and shall reasonably cooperate in the
defense. It is expressly agreed that the city shall have the right to approve, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, the legal counsel providing the city's
defense, and the property owner and/or permittee (as applicable) shall reimburse
the city for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the city in
the course of the defense.
21.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(8), the permittee shall undertake all
reasonable efforts to avoid undue adverse impacts to adjacent properties and/or
uses that may arise from the construction, operation, maintenance, modification
and removal of the facility. Radio frequency emissions, to the extent that they
comply with all applicable FCC regulations, are not considered to be adverse
impacts to adjacent properties.
22.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.090, the site and the facility, including but not limited
to all landscaping, fencing and related transmission accessory equipment, must
be maintained in a neat and clean manner and in accordance with all approved
plans and conditions of approval.
23.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.220(H)(8), the permittee shall remove any graffiti on
the wireless telecommunications facility at permittee's sole expense subject to the
provisions of Chapter 9.28 of the RPVMC (Graffiti Prevention and Removal).
Project Specific Conditions:
24.This approval is for the continued operation of the AT&T VVTF on the roof and
facades of a 4-story office building and includes the following improvements:
a. Allow the existing WTF with associated antennas and accessory equipment
as shown in the plans approved by the Planning Commission on July 22,
2025, to remain for the continued operation of the site;
b. Remove three existing antennas;
c. Remove one Baseband Unit (BBU) at the existing equipment area on the
P C Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 9 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
western part of the roof;
d. Install one new 36.3-inch-tall antenna on a roof mounted frame (located
behind existing screening);
e. Install two new 36.3-inch-tall antennas on existing facade mounted frames
(located behind existing screen enclosures on the north and west building
façade); and,
f. Install one new Baseband Unit (BBU) at the existing equipment area on the
western part of the roof.
25.The new antennas and equipment shall be installed only within the lease areas
and shall not exceed the heights of the existing roof-mounted screens and façade-
mounted screen enclosures.
26.This approval does not include the use or installation of a permanent back-up
generator for the antenna support equipment. Any future request for a permanent
back-up generator will require the approval of a conditional use permit revision by
the Planning Commission. However, the use of temporary back-up generator
during emergencies or extended power outages is permitted, provided that the
generator complies with the City's noise standards for WTFs detailed in RPVMC §
17.73.
27.Any exterior maintenance lights within the equipment area shall be "downcast"
fixtures and shall only be illuminated if emergency nighttime maintenance work is
necessary. All routine maintenance and repair work shall occur during daylight
hours. All exterior lighting shall conform to the provisions of RPVMC §17.56.040.
28.The antennas shall continue to be located behind the existing roof-mounted
screens, and façade-mounted screen enclosures, as shown in the plans approved
by the Planning Commission on July 22, 2025.
29.The façade-mounted screen enclosures shall be maintained be consistent with the
exterior texture and the color of the building wall where they are located and shall
be maintained to continue to match the building wall in the future.
30.The roof-mounted antenna screens shall continue to be of the same design and
color as the existing office building.
31.The existing screen enclosures shall not exceed the height of the building structure
where they are mounted, and the roof-mounted framework including the supportive
cabinets shall not exceed the height of the existing parapet screen wall.
32.The wires and cables to the antenna panels shall not be exposed so that they are
visible to public view.
P C Resolution No. 2025-05
Page 10 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1
33.PRIOR TO SUBMITTAL OF PLANS TO THE BUILDING & SAFETY DIVISION,
the permittee and/or Applicant shall obtain from the City of a RF exposure
compliance report prepared and certified by a licensed RF engineer that certifies
that the proposed facility, as well as any collocated facilities, will comply with
applicable federal RF exposure standards and exposure limits.
34.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.080, within 30 days after installation of the new
antennas and Baseband Unit (BBU), the Applicant shall deliver to the director a
written report that demonstrates that the existing and new components of the WTF,
as constructed and normally operating; fully complies with the conditions of the
permit, including height restrictions and applicable safety codes, including
structural engineering codes. The demonstration shall be provided in writing to the
director containing all technical details to demonstrate such compliance and
certified as true and accurate by qualified professional engineers, or, in the case
of height or size restrictions, by qualified surveyors. This report shall be prepared
by the Applicant and reviewed by the city at the sole expense of the Applicant,
which shall promptly reimburse the city for its review expenses. The director may
require additional proofs of compliance as part of the application process and on
an ongoing basis to the extent the city may do so consistent with federal law.
35.Pursuant to RPVMC §17.73.210(D)(1), this approval shall be valid for a period of
10 years from the date of the City's final action, or until July 22, 2035. The
Applicant/Permitee and/or its successor(s) interest may request an extension of
this approval, in writing and accompanied by the applicable fee, so long as such
extension request is filed with the City on or before the date of expiration, in
accordance with the requirements of RPVMC §17.73.110.
P C. Resolution No 2025-05
Page 11 of 11
01203 0005 2022323 1