411 DISTRIBUTED AGENDA MATERIAL
for Agenda Item No. 15
oprn
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MEETING DATE: August 12, 2025
ITEM NUMBER: 15
ITEM DESCRIPTION: An Application by East Highland Land, LLC for the Development of an 113-unit Single- Family Planned Residential Community Requiring a General Plan Amendment( GPA 24- 002) and Zone Change ( ZC 24- 002) from Low Density/ Single- Family Residential ( LD/ R1- 10,000) to Planned Development ( PD); Conditional Use Permit ( CUP 24- 006) for the Adoption of a Planned Development; Design Review Application ( DRA 24- 009) for a Related Site Plan, Building Elevations, Conceptual Landscaping and Grading Plan; Tentative Tract Map No. 20721 ( TTM 24- 003) for the Subdivision of Two Parcels into 113 Residential Lots and Common Areas; and Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program ( ENV 24-003)
SUBMITTED BY: Kim Stater, Assistant Community Development Director Supplemental information.
Distributed: Monday,August 11, 2025
SUMMIT
4 IA
TECHNOLOGY GROUP
KCAL( AM) COMMUNITY IMPACT STUDY
PREPARED FOR
DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC COMMUNITIES
RE: EAST HIGHLAND RANCH
AUGUST 6, 2025
SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY GROUP
3261 ORCHARD LAKE RD
KEEGO HARBOR, MI 48320
844) 457- 2346
3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963 14 SUMMIT
A, TECHNOLOGY GROUP
1. Executive Summary
This report presents a comprehensive technical assessment of the proposed 113-unit residential development located due east of AM radio station KCAL( AM), 1410 kHz, in Highland, California.
The purpose of this study is to address concerns related to potential radiofrequency ( RF) radiation exposure and electromagnetic interference ( EMI) from KCAL( AM), and to demonstrate, through established standards and calculations, that the development poses no health risk and negligible EMI impact on modern residential infrastructure.
Findings confirm that the proposed site meets all federal safety standards for RF exposure, and any minimal interference to household electronics is easily mitigated. There is no technical justification to preclude the development based on proximity to the KCAL(AM) transmitter site.
2. Site Overview and Station Characteristics
Station: KCAL( AM), Highland, CA— 1410 kHz
Power: 2 kW daytime, 4 kW nighttime
Antenna System: Four- tower directional array
Lobe Orientation: As shown in Exhibit" A," the station' s major lobe is directed southwest ( away from development); minor lobes exist to the north and due east ( toward the development)
Radiated Power Toward Site:
o Daytime ( 2 kW): Minor lobe < 25% = < 500 W
o Nighttime ( 4 kW): Minor lobe < 25% = < 1, 000 W
Minimum Distance from Tower to Development Property Line: > 250 ft Ground Radial Length: Approximately 190 ft (do not cross property line) FCC Compliance: Tower fencing and site enclosures are per FCC 47 CFR § 73.49 3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963
SUMMITIA ,
TECHNOLOGY GROUP
3. RF Radiation Exposure Assessment
3. 1 Applicable Standards
Federal guidelines for human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields are regulated under FCC OET Bulletin 65 and ANSI/ IEEE C95. 1- 2005. For AM broadcast ( 0. 3— 3. 0 MHz), the general public exposure limit is:
Electric field strength ( E- field): 614 V/ m
equivalent to a power density of approximately 4.0 mW/cm2 at 1 MHz)
3.2 Calculated Field Strength at Property Line
Assuming a worst- case scenario with the closest tower radiating < 1, 000 W toward the development, and a 250- foot ( 76. 2 m) separation, we use the far- field approximation:
E = -‘/( 30 x P) / d
Where:
P = 1, 000 watts
d = 76. 2 meters
E = '( 30, 000) / 76. 2 At 173. 2/ 76. 2 ^' 2. 27 V/ m
This value is well below the FCC public exposure limit of 614 V/ m— less than 0. 4% of the allowable threshold.
Even at a distance of 50 ft ( 15. 2 m), field strength would be approximately 7. 2 V/ m— still less than 1. 2% of the limit.
3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963 SUMMIT
r` TECHNOLOGY GROUP
3. 3 Real- World Comparison to Consumer RF Devices
Device Type Typical E- Field Strength ( at use distance) Frequency Band Cell Phone ( at ear) 300- 1, 000 V/ m 800- 2, 500 MHz Wi- Fi Router( 3 ft) 10- 20 V/ m 2. 4/ 5 GHz
Baby Monitor ( 1 ft) 5- 15 V/ m 49 MHz or 900 MHz KCAL( AM) @ 250 ft 2. 27 V/ m 1. 41 MHz
As shown, even low- power consumer electronics such as home Wi- Fi routers produce RF field strengths several times greater than what would be experienced at the proposed development.
Moreover, RF exposure from mobile devices occurs at close range ( in direct contact with the head or body), whereas exposure from KCAL( AM) is distant and further attenuated by terrain and buildings.
Conclusion: RF exposure levels at the proposed development are not only safe by regulatory standards but are significantly lower than many devices commonly used inside the home.
4. Electromagnetic Interference ( EMI) Risk
AM radio stations can, in rare cases, cause interference to unshielded or poorly designed electronics. However, such concerns are minimal for several reasons:
4. 1 Modern Electronics Design
Consumer devices are required to meet FCC Part 15 standards for interference immunity, including shielding and filtering.
4. 2 Construction Materials
Foil- backed insulation, grounded wiring, and metal window screens all help attenuate RF energy.
3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963
AI SUMMIT
A TECHNOLOGY GROUP
4. 3 Practical Mitigation
Any residual interference ( e.g., in speaker systems) can typically be resolved using inexpensive filters such as ferrite clamps or capacitive bypass devices.
4.4 Supporting Anecdotal Evidence
Homes and communities have been successfully developed in proximity to AM stations with similar or higher power levels, including WBBR ( 1130 kHz, New York, NY) and WLS ( 890 kHz, Chicago, IL), with no widespread EMI reports.
5. Regulatory and Engineering Compliance
FCC Compliance: Tower fencing, spacing, and exposure levels meet FCC 47 CFR
1. 1310 and § 73. 49.
Radial Containment: Ground radials remain entirely within the transmitter property and do not cross into the proposed development.
Zoning Compatibility: Exhibit " A" shows the development is situated outside of KCAL( AM)' s major radiation lobe. There is no federal or state regulation that prohibits residential development adjacent to compliant AM transmission sites.
6. Conclusion
RF emissions from KCAL(AM) pose absolutely no public health hazard.
Maximum field strength at the edge of the development is far below safety thresholds.
Modern construction techniques and electronics design reduce potential for interference in consumer electronics.
Any remaining EMI issues can be easily and inexpensively resolved.
The development lies outside the primary radiation lobe ( see Exhibit" A"). 3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963 SUMMIT
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IA \
TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Recommendation: There is no technical or regulatory basis to deny the proposed development based on the proximity of KCAL( AM).
7. References
FCC OET Bulletin 65: Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields
ANSI/ IEEE C95. 1-2005: Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Fields
47 CFR § 1. 1310— Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits 47 CFR § 73. 49— AM transmission system fencing requirements ARRL RFI Book: Practical Cures for Radio Frequency Interference, 3rd Edition FCC Part 15— Radio Frequency Devices: General Technical Standards 3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963
IA SUMMIT
r TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Exhibit A: KCAL( AM) Directional Radiation Pattern Diagram ( maximum 4- kW power) Taw Vida Illssekal Maim
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3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 I www. summittechgroup. com I( 248) 706- 6963