Following previous controversies over cell phone antenna placement in residential neighborhoods, Los Altos is moving toward adoption of a tighter ordinance.

A new “Wireless Services and Facilities” ordinance, introduced at the council’s March 22 meeting, adds teeth to 1997 guidelines while updating to accommodate current technologies. The council was set to adopt the ordinance without further discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting. It would then become active after 30 days.

According to James Walgren, the city’s community development director, the updated ordinance “acknowledges and encourages smaller ‘repeater’ type antenna facilities versus a single antenna to serve a particular area.”

The ordinance also makes the city’s current wireless facilities’ height and setback regulations more restrictive, “particularly when the facility is located next to residences or schools.”

The ordinance encourages hidden antennas and pushes for “means to prohibit monopoles altogether.”

The push for the new ordinance grew out of a controversial Verizon cellular antenna and monopole project proposed last year. The 45-foot-tall pole was targeted for California Water Service Company property at Giffin Road and Fremont Avenue, in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

The proposal drew neighborhood concerns mostly over the project’s visual intrusiveness and noise impacts from the hum of generators. Councilmembers appeared unsure of their authority to restrict the project’s scope, initially seeking to put some elements of the project underground before legal advisors told them they couldn’t do that. The council eventually approved Verizon’s plans.

Cellular towers also are controversial for perceived long-term impacts on health, but cities cannot deny applications based on health reasons if radiation levels meet Federal limits.

The height limit for monopoles or poles solely used to house cell phone antennas, was lowered from 45 feet to 30 feet, in accordance with most zoning districts.