AT&T's 65-foot-tall faux eucalyptus tree divides San Diego residents

Those who live, laugh and love in the Clairemont community of San Diego are not exactly happy with AT&T's latest actions.

There's a plan for a tall cell tower to be built, and that's not a cause for major celebrations; quite the opposite.

The faux eucalyptus tree

Clairemont residents, over 80,000, don't want the 65-foot-tall AT&T cell tower anywhere near them and are pushing back to stop its development.

AT&T itself, however, wants locals to keep in mind that the project won't be a benefit solely to the company's connectivity network. Ma Bell says the project is meant to enhance communication and fix connectivity gaps during emergencies.

People want it rejected

Recently, the Clairemont Community Planning Group gathered and after discussing the matters once again, they recommended to the San Diego City Council to reject the proposed project.

The reasons are all well-known: health concerns and a negative visual impact.

People aren't quietly accepting Ma Bell's plans and are actively fighting back. Will this end in a win for the local community? Maybe, but not everybody is sure of their success. Leila Welton, a Clairemont resident, says that while she's happy "to be included in the conversations" and to be heard, the disappointing part is that "the city can still do whatever they want".

The permit is under review

Right now, city officials are reviewing AT&T's request to build a 65-foot wireless tower disguised as a eucalyptus tree at the southeastern edge of Gershwin Park on Conrad Avenue in Clairemont.

The planned installation would carry multiple antennas and supporting radio equipment, along with a control cabinet and GPS unit. Project documents also include a diesel backup generator housed inside a walled enclosure on a concrete base.

Residents living near the park remain uneasy about the proposal. Some believe kids could still reach the equipment area or be injured, even if fencing is added around the site.

Others say the larger issue is the location itself. Neighbors argue the tower would take space from a heavily used public park and place industrial-looking infrastructure only a few feet from nearby homes and backyard fences.

What about wildfires?

Another point of concern is wildfire risk. The selected site falls within an area labeled as having very high fire danger, which has strengthened opposition from some community members.

Backers of the project say the tower would serve an important safety purpose. Retired fire chief Mike McLaughlin, now a senior policy advisor with the Western Fire Chiefs Association, said the northern section of Clairemont Mesa has a significant wireless coverage gap affecting carriers in the area.

McLaughlin also works with efforts tied to FirstNet, the network focused on improving broadband access for emergency responders and public safety agencies.

During a recent presentation, he reviewed other possible tower locations and explained why those alternatives were not considered workable.

A city spokesperson said the approval process will allow both supporters and critics to speak before the Planning Commission and later the City Council.

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