CITY OF CARMEL.BY.THE.SEA
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 2,2026
TOUR OF INSPECTION - 3:00 PM
The City Council conducted a tour of inspection of the location listed below:
A. Tour Location - PG&E Utility Pole in front of Carmelo 4 southeast of 10th Avenue; Coordinates: 36.549328, -121.926906 (APP 26046 - Verizon Sequoia Deployment) CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - 3:30 PM
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Chambers at 3:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PUBLIC HEARING
Item 1 - Resolution 2026-014 - Consideration of an Appeal (APP 26046, Verizon Sequoia Deployment) appealing the Planning Commission's decision to deny a Use Permit, Design Review, and Coastal Development Permit for the construction of a Small \Mreless Facility on a replacement PG&E pole in the public right of way in front of Carmelo Street 4 southeast of 1Oth Avenue in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) District.
City Attorney Pierik addressed a public comment that was submitted regarding a potential conflict of interest for Associate Planner Jake Olander due to his previous work as a Verizon contractor.
Pierik determined that Mr. Olander has no financial gain or interest in the item, noting that movement between public and private sector employment to gain experience is common, and concluded that there is no conflict of interest.
Associate Planner Olander presented the staff report. Gail Karish, City Attorney, and Lee Afflerbach, CTC consultant, assisted with the presentation and responded to Councilquestions.
Mayor invited the appellant, Pete Shubin, to give his presentation. Pete Shubin gave the appellant's presentation, and Rich Conroy also spoke on behalf of Verizon, and responded to Council questions.
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 5:46 p.m. and returned at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - March 2,2026
Public Comment:
Christy Hollenbeck
Jeannie Ferrara
Dylan
Nancy Twomey
Joe DiNucci
AndiCarr
Two speakers ceded their time to Doug Hollenbeck to present a video comment Tasha Witt
Unidentified speaker
Three speakers ceded their time to Ariel Strauss
Unidentified speaker
Michael McWalters
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 6:48 and returned at 7:20 pm.
Pete Shubin and Verizon attorney Paul Albritton provided rebuttal and responded to Council questions.
Council began discussion and deliberation. Councilmembers generally agreed with the Planning Commission and staff that the appellant did not demonstrate that the proposed site was the least intrusive feasible location under the City's wireless ordinance. Councilmembers expressed concern that other potentially preferable locations, including the Golden Bough area, had not been fully or convincingly evaluated, and several noted that the evidence presented did not establish that the proposed residential location provided a clearly superior coverage solution.
Councilmember Buder and Mayor Pro Tem Delves noted that the City's ordinance does not prohibit wireless facilities in residential areas but requires applicants to show both a significant gap in coverage and that the proposed site is the least intrusive feasible option. Councilmember Dramov voiced concern with late-submitted materials and changing explanations regarding site selection. Council reached consensus agreement that the record supported denial of the appeal.
Mayor Byrne said that from the discussion, it appears the Council is open to a future application at a different, less intrusive location.
City Attorney Pierik advised that the resolution presented could be revised to refer to the Golden Bough or other locations, which would give Verizon the opportunity to reapply for a different location. He stressed the importance that the City take action this evening due to the "shot clock" deadline.
Councilmember Baron stated that he would like the finding in the resolution that the proposed accessory equipment, including concealment, exceeds 17 cubic feet to be removed. He said he was concerned that including that finding could create unnecessary legal vulnerability if the matter City Council Special Meeting Minutes - March 2,2026
were challenged. He also noted that, if Verizon were to resubmit the application without concealment, the equipment would be under 17 cubic feet, even though the City's preference is for the equipment to be concealed. He said he wanted the resolution to better reflect that the City is trying to work with Verizon.
Mayor Pro Tem Delves moved to adopt Resolution 2026-014 as presented, with a revision to Section 6.1 adding the words "or other location". The motion was seconded by Gouncilmember Dramov.
Councilmember Baron stated that, while he supported denying the appeal, he could not support the motion. He said the resolution should remove the 17-cubic-foot finding and allow more room for negotiation. He added that, because the motion did not reflect those changes, he would be voting no.
The motion was approved 4-1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: Councilmember Baron
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m
APPROVED:
Dale Byrne, Mayor