La Verne Explores Options to Improve Cell Service North of Baseline
At a recent City Council meeting, staff outlined coverage gaps, limits on City authority and public safety concerns.
City officials are working with wireless providers to address gaps in cellular coverage in north La Verne, where residents report little to no service, particularly for Verizon customers.
During the Feb. 2 City Council meeting, City Manager Ken Domer said the issue affects areas north of Baseline Road, where older infrastructure and limited fiber connections constrain coverage. Domer said AT&T and T-Mobile currently provide better service in the area due in part to two existing macro cell towers near the former Sierra La Verne Country Club, while a previously approved Verizon tower was never built after permits expired in 2021.
The City of La Verne is now working with Verizon and Crown Castle on small-cell installations and a proposed extension of fiber infrastructure along Wheeler Avenue and Golden Hills Road. Small cells can be mounted on streetlights or utility poles, but require fiber connections.
Domer said the City has no authority over tower construction beyond zoning and permitting, and federal rules cap rental fees for small-cell equipment at $270 per pole per year. A master license agreement for small-cell installations is expected to return to the council for approval within six weeks.
Council member Kash expressed concerns about the use of small micro towers. He said people have complained about the perceived risk that micro towers could spread cancer. The American Cancer Society says there is no strong evidence that radio frequency waves from cell phone towers cause noticeable health effects, but notes that this does not mean the exposure has been proven completely safe. Most health experts agree that additional research is needed, particularly to better understand any potential long-term effects.
Mayor Tim Hepburn noted that in 2021, the City heard significant pushback from residents who raised concerns about 5G and tower installations.
"There's always two sides of the story, of people wanting or not wanting things around," he said.
Several residents and council members cited public safety concerns during the council meeting, noting that poor coverage has hindered emergency calls during past incidents, including fires.
"Whatever we can do, obviously, we need to keep safety in mind," Hepburn said.
Officials emphasized that discussions are ongoing and that any major improvements would likely take several months.
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