By Cell phones are a way of life. Junior high, even elementary school-age children can be seen making calls on their own phones. Rates have become so low that some households have dropped conventional phones altogether.

As wireless providers attempt to fill gaps in coverage, more antennas, including those in residential neighborhoods, are an inevitability. However, we’re convinced that city officials and cell-phone companies can work together to ensure good cell-phone coverage while accommodating residents’ wishes.

For the most part, Los Altos and the wireless companies have been successful at accomplishing this. Cingular, in particular, has been good at filling gaps in coverage by placing “stealth” antennas inside church steeples and behind clock towers, as in the case of the building at Loyola Corners.

However, the city clearly erred with council approval in December of a 45-foot monopole in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Even painted dark green, the pole does not, as the findings say, “enhance real property values,” “conserve the city’s natural beauty” or “preserve and enhance the city’s distinctive physical character.” The proposal also violates the city’s general plan, which states that the city shall restrict commercial uses in residential neighborhoods.

Hiding an antenna in a steeple is one thing, but this particular plan allows for a tall pole in plain sight, complete with the constant hum of the antenna, air-conditioning unit and power generator.

Regardless of any potential health issues associated with antennas (which the city cannot cite for denying an application), the project should not go through for the simple reason that it will adversely affect property values and that an alternative solution exists - placing a pole at the nearby civic center.

We’re encouraged to know that a council subcommittee has been formed to look at the big picture regarding future cell-phone antenna placement in Los Altos. Such review may lead to an effective ordinance that prevents another mistake like the Fremont-Giffin approval.

We’re not advocating any impediment of progress. We ask that the city, along with those approached about leases for antennas, consider strongly the long-term term impacts on neighbors.

The latter should clearly have a say in matters such as these, that do, without a doubt, have an impact on their quality of life.