MetroPCS Withdraws from Geary Antenna Site

As a result of neighborhood demonstrations and 2,800 petition signatures, wireless communications company MetroPCS withdrew its proposal for a cellular antenna site at the corner of Geary Boulevard and 11th Avenue.

The company has applied for two other sites, however, within blocks of the Geary Boulevard location.

Richmond resident Grace Jeung says the planning department confirmed that MetroPCS has obtained a permit for an antenna site at 5200 Geary Blvd. (the Ross building) and is rumored to be looking at the Pacific Bell building at Ninth Avenue and Geary Boulevard as another possible site.

Doug Loranger, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Neighborhood Antenna-Free Union (SNAFU), a citywide coalition of residents and neighborhood groups that focuses on antenna site issues, said he is glad to see MetroPCS withdraw from the Geary and 11th Avenue site, but is not happy with their decision to seek other nearby antenna sites within the Richmond District.

"While we are happy for the residents of the apartment building and in the immediate vicinity of the site MetroPCS has withdrawn from, MetroPCS once again appears to be ignoring the wishes of the Richmond District community by going forward with not one but two newly announced antenna sites," Loranger said.

The SF Planning Commission has also delayed the hearing on another antenna site proposed by MetroPCS at 1935 32nd Ave., between Pacheco and Ortega streets (at Fire Station Number 18), until March.

- Susan Dyer Reynolds