Blog: Chamber Supports AT&T Appeal to City Council for Enhanced Wireless Service

On Monday, July 2, AT&T will appeal the Planning Commission’s at 1035 San Pablo Ave., a location it will share with an existing Sprint antenna installation.

The supports this upgrade of wireless communications services and encourages the City Council to grant the appeal for a number of reasons:

• Fairness and equity among carriers and for people. Albany residents, business owners and visitors have come to expect and rely upon dependable wireless phone and data service. Parents, children—everyone—should be able to quickly and reliably contact relatives and emergency responders when necessary.
• All other siting options have been explored, and not found acceptable. AT&T engineers have studied nine (9) possible sites and found them wanting. 
• This has been a four-year process, and is another example that underscores Albany’s growing reputation of being unfriendly to business. Vacant storefronts benefit no one, and it should concern everyone in Albany that a small but vocal group of opponents can continually delay, obstruct and derail projects.
• We are concerned that specific city ordinances are being used as weapons to fight a battle in proxy. When city law is allowed to be abused in this manner, the city becomes paralyzed and ceases to be able to protect the rights of its citizens.
• The Chamber urges the City Council to uphold AT&T’s appeal on this project to assure continuous and fair wireless service for all in Albany.

We urge all interested parties to attend the City Council meeting on Monday, July 2, 7:30 pm, City Hall, to voice your support. You can also email the council at cityhall@albanyca.org.