EDC planners deny South Shore cell tower

El Dorado County planning commissioners denied the request by Cingular Wireless/AT&T to erect a cell tower on the south side of Skyline Drive about one mile northeast of the intersection of Highway 50 and Pioneer Trail on the South Shore.

Residents in the area had voiced concerns about the tower. Because of all the houses the commissioners said no.

The applicant could appeal the Dec. 11 decision.

The proposal was for a 113-foot monopine tower with nine panel antennas, equipment shelter, related ground equipment, HVAC units, sound barrier walls, and solid wood fence.

In April 2007, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency denied a similar application.

“TRPA would have to approve the tower. That could be done at the hearings officer level – but back in 2007 it got elevated to the Governing Board and voted down,” TRPA spokesman Tom Lotshaw told Lake Tahoe News.

At that time it was a Verizon proposal. Minutes from the TRPA meeting show residents were concerned about health and safety issues, similar to what was voiced before the Dec. 11 county meeting in Placerville.

Prior to the county meeting Cingular Wireless/AT&T was working on an application with TRPA, but nothing had been submitted.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report