 |
|
|
|
|
Council Watch
Planning puts off decision on cell-phone antennas
Neighbors want more study of traffic impact and health hazards
By Jessica Lyons
The Planning Commission isn't ready to approve 12 new wireless communication antennas on top of the Pacific Bell building on Foxworthy Avenue. The commission on Nov. 17 voted to defer the decision to Dec. 8 and instructed planning staff to further look into the project.
A spokeswoman for Nextel, which seeks a city permit to install a dozen 10-foot antennas on the roof of the 35-foot-high building, told the commission the antennas would guarantee coverage to a wireless-phone saturated area.
"At peak usage times, we have serious customer complaints," said Molly Kales, Nextel project manager.
Willow Glen residents living around the building, however, maintain that the antennas will bring more traffic, maintenance crews and noise to the neighborhood.
"I've only been living here two years, and I've already seen a large increase in the amount of traffic," Frank Finelli said. "My driveway faces the entrance and exit of the building, and it's very difficult for me to exit my driveway because of traffic now. I don't want to see that get worse."
"We are concerned about the negative effect the antennas will have on our property values," said homeowner Richard Marcoux. "We're also concerned about the health implications."
Marcoux and other neighbors said they worry that the digital radio emission from the antennas may pose health concerns.
Planning staff and Nextel said the low-frequency, low-energy, non-ionizing emissions are well below the recognized safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute.
On Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., Nextel representatives will meet with the community at the Kirk Community Center, 1601 Foxworthy Ave., Room 6, to discuss the plans for the new antennas.
|
|
|
|
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
