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At the San Fernando Road off-ramp of the 2 Freeway in Glassell Park, there could be a whole new kind of tree left for residents and visitors to gawk at: A cellphone tower made to look like a pine tree.
The Verizon tower in what they call a "monopine" design is facing objection from members of the Glassell Park community, which is a largely residential area covering hillsides southwest of Eagle Rock and adjacent to communities like Cypress Park and Mount Washington.
Verizon was approached with alternate designs, like a more artistic angel, explained Eastsider LA in 2011, but the communications company prefers their 70-foot tall phony pine.
If erected, the tower "would rank as one of the tallest structures in Glassell Park."
Today, Eagle Rock Patch shares this video, which explains why Glassell Park doesn't necessarily mind the tower, but rather hopes that if the tower goes in, it at least can help improve the community's image.
Known lately for being a gang-riddled neighborhood, advocates of an improved cell tower design hope that Glassell Park can be better represented by the tower, either artistically, or by a design that identifies the community by name. The problem with the latter, says Verizon, is that lettering means its a sign; the City committee that can make an exception will be hearing the case tomorrow, March 14.
