Verizon Wireless Community Master Plan for Fallbrook dropped by County

San Diego County has dropped Verizon Wireless' Community Master Plan, which was presented Sept. 19 to the Fallbrook Community Planning Group (FCPG) and opposed by several community members who voiced their displeasure over the addition of several “big boomer” towers.

During the meeting, county and Verizon representatives presented a plan to better manage future cell site placement, with six sites for cell towers and two small cell towers suggested, despite the areas for the proposed sites being zoned as A70 non-preferred rural residential agricultural zone.

However, a large group of residents gathered to voice their displeasure of the plan, which did not include input from Fallbrook residents, nor work with other cell phone service providers.

“It was nice to have a lot of support at the meeting,” said Bowles. “We really do value and cherish our semi-rural atmosphere. It takes a threat to our community for us to come up and devote our spare time to right a wrong.”

On Oct. 3, Fallbrook resident Jim Bowles, a leader of those who opposed the plan as it currently stood, was contacted by Supervisor Bill Horn’s adviser for land use, Melanie Wilson.

“[She] called to inform me that both the county of San Diego and Verizon have decided to abandon their proposed master plan as it was presented,” said Bowles. “It appears that the concerns we expressed have been heard and acted upon with this encouraging decision. We made recommendations during both meetings in an effort to offer positive suggestions for change in a direction that would benefit Fallbrook residents.”

At time of publication, Wilson had not returned calls and emails asking for comment on the master plan.

Though the county and Verizon have backed down from their master plan, Bowles does not “have comfortable feelings” with the way the community was dealt with. In addition, he believes that cell phone companies will simply continue having individual cell phone towers approved one at a time.

“Maybe it’s a win, maybe it’s not,” said Bowles. “They may have just backed down from a battle that wasn’t worth continuing. They are choosing their battle, and playing a game with a different strategy. In the past we have learned they will go back to their wins, and will continue blanketing neighborhoods with solicitation.”

Bowles believes that there can be a way for the county, cell phone service providers and Fallbrook residents to work together if more reasonable notice was given to the residents who surround the proposed cell sites, giving them time to review the plans and to give input long before a permit request goes to the county. In addition, he hopes that co-location with existing cell facilities become first priority. Finally, a true master plan for Fallbrook must include all competitors, with a dedicated local contact working as a liaison to cell providers.

“We would love to see a win-win for Fallbrook and Verizon,” said Bowles. “We want to share what’s in our hearts, but we are not given that opportunity. We just respond with the short notices given to us. A major use permit should receive major scrutiny, especially by those who are most affected by the plan.”