Verizon Wireless is relentlessly pushing to place a 55-foot cell tower in a back parking lot at 789 Valley Road, close to seniors’ homes in Arroyo Grande. After a public hearing on Feb. 6 when senior citizens packed the chambers in opposition, during a four-hour meeting, where at least 10 of the seniors contracted COVID-19, the Planning Commission turned down the cell tower. During that same meeting, a petition in opposition to the cell tower was presented with 245 signatures from seniors ranging in age from 55 to 100 years old. Yet now Verizon Wireless appeals for yet another hearing, this time before the Arroyo Grande City Council. Once again, a vulnerable population needs to show up, in person, to defend their future health and their future home values. It’s well documented that if your home is within a half a mile of a cell tower you’re likely to lose between 8 to 20 percent of its value besides negative health effects ranging from migraines to cancer. I request Verizon place that tower in a field or business location, pay the owner the huge lease fee, and keep it far away from everyone’s home.
Ethel “Tink” Landers
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in Mar 14-24, 2024.
It is unfortunate that many people like Ethel have been misled or blatantly lied to about telecommunications equipment. It is important to immediately disprove Ethel’s lie about the purported “negative health effects” that are so often misattributed to telecommunications equipment. There has been significant research and time spent on evaluating these claims that have persisted for decades, and there has not once ever been substantial evidence that shows any type of link between telecommunications equipment and health risk to the public. To claim that these types of transmission devices can lead to cancer is both wholly untrue and also extremely disrespectful to those families, friends, and individuals who have had to deal with cancer firsthand and live through its devastating effects. It is shameful to see people perpetuate this lie and it is important for us to take a strong stand against the spread of this kind of misinformation.
With that point out of the way, we should look at what is being proposed for this project. I have personally dealt with nearly a dozen similar telecommunication projects in recent years from the permitting side. Rooftop mounted, monopoles, faux-trees, clocktower disguised, flagpole disguised, and more. This project proposal is up there with the best of them in terms of mitigating visual impact. This tower is designed to look like a wooden water tower with decorative steel bands around its circumference. I encourage people to take a look at the visual simulations and images of similar projects provided on pages 190-194 of the 02/06/24 Arroyo Grande PC agenda packet. This is a rare project that actually increases the visual appeal of its surroundings by integrating the rural farm aesthetic of the area. A project of this quality will have no negative effect on surrounding property values, and will instead be a value adding piece of infrastructure for the community.
Connectivity is important, and its importance is only growing over time. For younger people, it allows them to freedom to be more flexible in their education, social life, and hobbies. For people in the workforce, it will provide opportunity to work from home and expand their professional opportunities. Finally, for those who have retired, it will provide the opportunity to stay connected to the world around us. Calls with grandchildren, distant friends, local businesses, and doctors will be more reliable and accessible. Looking at infrastructure projects, we must look to the future as to not squander the potentials of our future generations. I hope Verizon can succeed in their appeal and move forward with this vital connectivity project.
Personally, as a resident off Valley Rd, I would love for my cell phone to operate more reliably.
I am certainly not convinced that property values will drop, Not that I care since I am here to the end of my life. If property values did drop we might see more young families here in the Five cities. I call that a Good Thing.
Cancer scaring is definatley not nice.
Ethel should try out Skype contact with great grandchildren to see the advantages of good connectivity.
Yes, but, but, I read someplace. Yeah, I read it. I don’t like it, I don’t want it. (sarcasm)
Interesting that you’re sure that this cell tower won’t pose negative health effects but of course it’s not proposed 100 feet from your bedroom is it? Do your research and go to the Environmental Health Trust website and read about the effects of radio frequency radiation on human bodies. It’s especially true for vulnerable populations like children and senior citizens. I know it’s important that we have cell service – as if we can’t go to numerous companies and get service in Arroyo Grande – and if truth be told, aren’t we talking about the cell companies proliferation of cell towers in order to provide internet and streaming? Just turn on any television channel and you’ll see the commercials.. Put this tower away from houses, schools and parks. A faux water tower would look ok in a field away from anybody’s bedroom. Verizon just needs to do a better job about where they place this thing.
The concern of local residents about the proposed Verizon cell tower is not intended to kill the project, but to locate the tower in a more appropriate place consistent with the existing priorities of the City of Arroyo Grande. These priorities have to do with preferred zoning areas, and there is a preferred zone, Public Facility zone, where it can be located and meet Verizon’s needs.
Regarding the earlier comments on health concerns from wireless radiation from cell towers the following should be noted. In August of 2021 the Environmental Health Trust confronted the FCC in court regarding health issues. Quoting from a summary of the case, “On August 13, 2021 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ignored scientific evidence and failed to provide a reasoned explanation for its determination that its 1996 regulations adequately protect the public against all the harmful effects of wireless radiation.” There is no absolute proof at this time either way about the adverse effects of this type of radiation. In view of this it is not unreasonable for senior citizens or any one to be concerned about health risks. Incidentally, the EHT presented over 11,000 pieces of evidence in the case.
I anticipate that AG will get a cell tower which will enhance connectivity for all Verizon customers in this targeted area, and that Verizon will correct their original error in not working with a property owner in the “preferred zone” for their tower.
Put the tower in public use location zoned property
While there is still debate concerning health issues from exposure to EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) including RF radio frequencies there is evidence that there is a difference between using a cell phone (not as much evidence of health issues) and living near a tower or power lines (heavy exposure leading to potential health issues). I am personally acquainted with a person who has suffered from overexposure and sensitivity to EMF. Many people develop sensitivity to EMF exposure and have significant health issues as a result. This is documented, not rumor or conjecture.
There is no way to predict who will develop sensitivity, and as a result need to leave their home, job, and life as they know it. Below are some links to reputable studies documenting ill health due to EMF exposure. Copy and paste in your browser address bar.
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr48Mf2AQdmOPMD9FlXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1712944887/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2fpmc%2farticles%2fPMC6025786%2f/RK=2/RS=qrFiJt0e9V8L6xTT4EpNNcvd3TI-
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr48Mf2AQdmOPMD9VlXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzMEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1712944887/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2fpmc%2farticles%2fPMC6513191%2f/RK=2/RS=bjwL7h5emcs4afKIJIj9vtDXr54-
It has also been documented by the Board of Realtors, based on their extensive work with buyers, that buyers do not want to live near a cell phone tower. They will pay less for a house near a cell phone tower, up to 20% less. For many people who have just bought a house on the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood, that is 20% off the money they just spent to purchase a home, a potential loss of $130,000 and more.
Visual appeal is subjective. Not everyone sees things the same. While one person might find this 55-foot tall “faux water tower” appealing, others would not. If it is in a field or on a farm it might look inoffensive but might not seem appropriate at the entrance of a residential neighborhood. In addition, this tower will significantly intrude on the view from several houses, creating an eyesore. Regardless, the issue for most people is financial and health consequences. It is important to think of the future, even if one is elderly. It’s important to think of the consequences to others not just us. There is another viable location on public use land a little further down the road that won’t adversely affect people living in this community, so why not put the tower there? I don’t think anyone opposes that placement.