Council Approves Microwave Antennas Atop Mall

Satisfied that color-coordinated screening would hide nine microwave antennas atop the Laguna Hills Mall, the City Council this week approved an application to install the wireless communications equipment.

After seeing computer-enhanced photographs showing how the 12-foot antennas would look, the council backed the project on condition that Cox California PCS allow other wireless companies to share the rooftop.

Council member Melody Carruth voted against the antenna, however, saying she wanted to see a map of all antenna sites under consideration in Laguna Hills before agreeing to the mall location.

But the rest of the council was satisfied that a wall painted to coordinate with the mall’s color scheme would ensure that the antennas will not be an eyesore.

Cox representatives were grilled by the council, however, about where else they plan to erect microwave antennas and questioned about whether electromagnetic emissions from the equipment might pose a health threat.

Steve Riley, a consultant for the firm, said there will likely be only one more antenna in Laguna Hills and possibly another in north Laguna Hills, which will be annexed into the city in July.

The communications firm maintained that electronic emissions from the antennas are far below the maximum allowed by federal standards.