Posted by KCL, a resident of another community, on Oct 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Tree and flagpole towers can help disguise the tower. A few of those and other ideas at this link:

Web Link

Posted by Dupi, a resident of the Portola Valley: Westridge neighborhood, on Oct 14, 2010 at 12:38 pm

I hate to show my ignorance of cellular communications, but if this tower is placed in PV, does that mean we are all going to have to make a shift to T-Mobile from our current carriers?

Posted by Joseph E. Davis, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Oct 14, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Please don't use one of those horrible fake trees. They are really ugly.

Posted by Gene, a resident of the Portola Valley: Westridge neighborhood, on Oct 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm

Dupi -

No...having attended the meeting last night, T-Mobile is in the minority in terms of providing cell coverage for PV residents. This decision has nothing to do with forcing residents to accept any service other than the one they choose. There was a discrepancy in terms of whether there were "significant" gaps in coverage and the Council was derelict in not postponing a decision and seeking further facts and corroboration. The Council "wussed out" on this one. Apparently T-Mobile's "threats" carried some weight and scared the Council.

Posted by Ge, a resident of the Portola Valley: Westridge neighborhood, on Oct 14, 2010 at 4:37 pm

It was just pointed out to me that the Council had only 150 days to make a decision and they were beyond that time on an extension. Unfortunately it looks like timing was an issue that required a response. My apologies to the Council for not taking that fact into consideration. However, there is never enough time to make the wrong decision and T-Mobile's threatening and "bully-style" behaviour/demeanor should have prompted the Council to be more pro-active and responsive to the general community's concerns.

Posted by Gene, a resident of the Portola Valley: Westridge neighborhood, on Oct 14, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Correction to a statement in the Almanac article, I believe the reference to the Cal Water tank should have read 750,000 gallons not 750 gallons.

Posted by KCL, a resident of another community, on Oct 18, 2010 at 12:15 pm

Joseph E. Davis,

You prefer the bare towers to the ones on the photos? They may not be lifelike but certainly they look better than a plain tower.

What is your suggestion?

Posted by David Boyce, Almanac staff writer, on Oct 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm
David Boyce is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Thank you, Gene, for that correction.

Posted by R.GORDON, a resident of another community, on Oct 18, 2010 at 4:29 pm
R.GORDON is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Why not just forbid cell phones? More the "Peninsula" way and I loathe

seeing people talking on those things in public. Odd how those who use cell phones think that speaking loudly is pleasant for others.

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Oct 18, 2010 at 6:22 pm

"More the "Peninsula" way and I loathe"

Then it's a good thing you don't live here, isn't it?