AT&T Utililty Box Exemption Denied: July 29, 2008

VICTORY FOR NOW

AT&T withdraws motion for exception of environmental review of its 850 utility boxes. Fight not over as AT&T plans to come up with a new proposal and resubmit

On July 29, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors heard dozens of people at the microphone stating their disbelief that the Planning Department issued a Determination of Exemption from Environmental Review for 850 AT&T Utility Boxes. They all came out to rally behind the Cole Valley Improvement Association’s appeal to the Board to deny this categorical exemption.

Here’s what happened at the Public Hearing: After those who supported the exemption appeal spoke, the Planning Department gave its reasons for awarding the exemption. Board members grilled the Department staff and when it was clear to AT&T that the Board may approve the CVIA’s appeal, AT&T asked to withdraw its motion for exemption of environmental review and stated that they will come back to the Board with a new proposal.

And so, a victory for the day was achieved. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who contacted your supervisors; and we want to especially thank those who came out and spoke at the hearing. Due to this support and the great job by the Cole Valley Improvement Association of rallying all us around the common cause of making San Francisco livable, we acted as a solid unit and won.