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$teff Report to the Planning Commission Lands of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road December 9, 2004 Page 5 of 7 injuries to the public and to protect the equipment from vandalism, staff recommends the installation of a 6' tall black vinyl coated chain link fence and access gate around the base of the tower. The area around the fence shall be landscaped with vines or shrubs to mitigate the visual impacts of the structure from neighbor's view. (Condition #4) VISIB=y AND LANDSCAPE SCREENING There are a number of existing trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the property and a double row of mature eucalyptus and fir trees along Fremont Road which will screen the lower portions of the structure from neighbor's view. However, due to the height of the tower which is approximately 3.5 times the height of the new Town Hall building, the antennas will be visible from neighboring properties and streets, particularly along Fremont Road. - ALTERNATIVE DESIGN Given the size and height of the proposed antenna and the aesthetic and visual impacts to the surrounding neighborhood, a retractable antenna tower may be the preferred alternative. According to the technical analysis in the ECC report, a "minimum antenna height of 40 to 50 feet" would provide reliable 144/440 MHz propagation to all defined points of communications during an emergency (i.e. Santa Clara County OES, repeater sites, etc.). There are a number of retractable (crankup) antenna towers available on the market that will meet the 40'-50' height requirement. An example would be Texas Towers Model TX -455 galvanized steel tower which has a nested height of 21.5' and an extended height of 55'. (Attachment 5) Including the 2' mast and the 17.8' antenna, the height of the tower will be 41.3' retracted and 74.8' fully extended. The antenna structure will stand at 41.3' when not in use. However, it should be noted that the retractable tower design would preclude the use of Antennas # 3-6 because of their vertical mounting requirements. CONCLUSION The Commission can decide to approve the antenna system as proposed by the Emergency Communications Committee. However, if the Commission determines that a retractable tower is a feasible alternative, the antenna design will need to be revised and a condition should be added requiring the antenna tower to be in a fully retracted position at all times except during a Town declared emergency or during the once/month emergency communication training and exercise.