We don’t want a tower

Residents are upset enough over a T-Mobile cell tower that could be built on a church near their homes to consider moving if it goes in.

The cell tower would be on the Community United Methodist Church’s property on Heil Avenue. The tower would be about 150 feet from residential houses, according to a city staff report.

Residents are circulating a petition against the tower that has more than 200 signatures, said John Anderson.

“What concerns us about the cell tower is it’s going to be put in real close to a lot of our houses,” Anderson said. “We just feel like there are more appropriate places for this cell-phone tower.”

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

“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.

Some people are concerned about health dangers.

“I don’t want to get cancer,” said Dianne Larson, a resident near the church. “I watched my sister die of cancer.”

She would want to move, but is worried about the possibility of selling her house. Larson and neighbor Blanca Evans are concerned prices will decline.

Real Estate Broker Bob Bolen said a homeowner should disclose living near a cell tower, but couldn’t say whether it would affect the value.

Residents are also worried about a preschool on the property.

Nancy Jones has a 4-year-old daughter at the school and a 2-year-old son who will be attending next year if the cell tower doesn’t get built.

“It just doesn’t seem like a safe environment,” she said.

Jones is also upset that the preschool didn’t notify parents until after the school year started.

The preschool declined to comment and officials at the church couldn’t be reached.

Despite residents’ concerns, the city has found that the tower “will not be detrimental to the general welfare of persons working or residing in the vicinity,” according to the report.

Residents have been picketing while church goers go into service for the last three weeks.

“We’re hoping the church will see what an uproar this has made in the community and stop it,” Anderson said.

The project will go back before the zoning administration Oct. 28 to request a conditional use permit.