At a Sept. 10 planning-commission meeting, AT&T representative Rich Hildebrand requested permission to install six panel antennas and an equipment enclosure on an existing 125-foot utility lattice tower near the newly renovated Congress Springs Park along the PG&E-owned railroad tracks.

The antennas, which run approximately four feet in length and a foot in width, are proposed to be mounted 60 feet above ground level on the tower. In addition to the six standard antennas, two special ones with GPS-LMU devices will be installed. According to Hildebrand, this new technology allows people, such as law enforcement officers or medical personnel, to track AT&T users in cases of emergencies.

The enclosure will encase operational equipment—radios, batteries and electronics to process phone calls—reaching six feet in height and will be placed near the tower. It will be uncovered and set back approximately 70 feet from the curb of Glen Brae Drive. Although plans for the outward appearance of the enclosure are not yet detailed, staff recommended adding landscaping features around the enclosure to make the area look more appealing and to decrease the likelihood of any suspicious or criminal activity.

However, the commission's chairwoman, Jill Hunter, told Hildebrand that she would like to see more than bushes and plants around the apparatus.

"It would behoove you to have a nice high wall around the enclosure," she said. "There are a lot of kids and different activities going on at the park. We don't want the kids anywhere near the equipment."

According to Hildebrand, the proposed site is appropriate for two main reasons.

"The existing utility tower makes it easier for us and the city because we wouldn't have to build a whole new structure," he said.

In addition, Hildebrand said that the location fulfills the company's goal of increasing coverage for AT&T clients.

Anza Drive resident and AT&T carrier Meir Levi said he fully supports the installation of AT&T equipment. He said of the 500 free minutes that come with his phone plan, only 85 minutes are actually used because he doesn't get reception in his area.

Meir, who works from his home office, said having reception is not only important when it comes to making business calls but more so when his family's safety is concerned.

"I keep my cellphone close to me at all times, especially at night when I'm in bed in case a burglar breaks in or if there is an emergency," he said. "What happens if I don't have access to a regular phone? The only thing I would be able to use is my cellphone."

However, Saratogan John Yfantis had another concern, which involves the amount of energy emitted from the antennas.

"The fact that the company meets the Federal Communications Commission requirements means nothing," he said. "The energy emitted is still a detriment to the health of people and animals."

In response, Commissioner Susie Nagpal suggested conducting occasional frequency checks.

Hildebrand said he hopes to have all the equipment up and running by January 2004.