Group raises appeal funds

Residents said they plan to appeal a decision Friday to allow a T-Mobile cell tower in a residential neighborhood due to health concerns and possible impact on home values.

The cell tower was approved at a Zoning Administrator meeting Nov. 4. A group of residents is gathering money to appeal the decision and has 10 days after the decision to file an appeal.

“This, to me, is detrimental to the general welfare, but evidently they don’t agree with me,� resident John Anderson said.

The cell tower will be built on the Community United Methodist Church’s property on Heil Avenue and disguised as a bell tower.

Zoning Administrator Ricky Ramos changed the tower’s design from a 55-foot palm tree or “monopalm� to a 52-foot bell tower to replace an existing tower to ensure it wouldn’t be detrimental to the value of the property and the neighborhood, according to city documents.

Despite the change, residents are still concerned over the health risks. Ramos said federal law prohibits him from making a decision on the risks.

“I feel like my hands are constrained by federal law,� Ramos said.

Residents have been picketing the church on Sundays and circulating a petition against the tower. The petition has about 350 signatures.

The tower is being built to meet customer demands, said T-Mobile spokesman Rod De La Rosa.

“In making our decision on where to locate a new site, T-Mobile undertakes a rigorous engineering analysis of available coverage and future expansion needs,� he said.

The city also determined the tower “will not be detrimental to the general welfare of persons working or residing in the vicinity,� according to a report.

Church representatives attended the public hearing to support T-Mobile, they said in a statement.

“Following this decision, the church expects to move forward with its lease,� the statement reads.

The residents’ appeal will go to the Planning Commission and, if appealed again, to the City Council. The council’s decision is final.