Senate Bill 649, authored by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), is scheduled for a special consideration hearing in the Assembly Local Government Committee on June 28, 2017 at 1:30 pm. SB 649 would eliminate local consideration of the aesthetic and environmental impacts of “small cell” structures and require that those structures be allowed on public property in any zone in a city or county. Additionally, SB 649 would limit the rent a local government could charge a wireless company to place a small cell structure on public property.
RCRC and a coalition of local government partners have been working hard to defeat this poorly-crafted bill, and RCRC has been in discussions with legislators and key staff to share the extensive and negative impacts this bill may have on local governments.
RCRC urges Member Counties to join in opposition of this legislation, and attend the hearing to express their opposition. The text of the bill can be accessed here. RCRC’s joint opposition letter can be accessed here.