Cell tower approved for Old Town Orcutt

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Cell tower approved for Old Town Orcutt
By Randi Block/Staff Writer


In an effort to balance modern technology with the small-town feel of Old Town Orcutt, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission has approved the construction of a faux water tank to house cell-phone antennas.

The tank -with an estimated price tag of $100,000 - will be located at 201 S. Broadway, near petroleum storage tanks and accessory structures. There will be 21 internal antennas from Sprint PCS and Nextel Communications within the 65-foot water tank.

"Old Town Orcutt" will be inscribed on the tank to provide a "gateway" identity for the community, said Tom Figg, Energy Division planner. The water tank was designed with an antique motif, metal fencing to hide equipment stored at the tank's base, and a tin roof.

"We are happy to see it go in," said Berto Van Veen, president of the Old Town Orcutt Revitalization Association. "I don't think there's going to be a problem. It's a welcome addition."

Having the town's name on a highly visible fixture will greatly improve the cohesiveness of the area, Van Veen added.

Fourth District Commissioner Joe Valencia said he did not feel comfortable with the aesthetic appeal of the water tank, and hoped the organizations that approved the project were really representative of the entire community.

Both the Orcutt and county Board of Architectural Review approved the project, based on its preservation of the historic neighborhood characteristic.

"We want to bring Old Town Orcutt back to the days of the turn of the century," Van Veen said. "During those times they had a lot of old barracks and water tanks."

Originally a large imitation pine tree was suggested to hide the antennas, but residents thought a tree wouldn't fit in with neighboring projects.

Another added benefit to the project is increased coverage for the surrounding Orcutt area.

"We're expecting a significant increase in coverage," said Luis Perez, Energy Division planner.

The cell-phone companies studied the expected radio frequency exposure for residents, and found the cumulative totals would be less than 16 percent of the Federal Communications Commission standards. Studies will also be completed once the construction is finished to ensure the frequencies remain within federal standards.

There is room in the water tank for a third carrier in the future, Perez said, but there are no current plans to involve another company on the project.