AT&T rep describes cell tower proposal at community meeting
 |
| The Parklawn Pool |
More than 100 people, mostly residents of Parklawn and
Heywood Glen, packed the cafeteria of Glasgow Middle School Wednesday evening
to hear representatives of AT&T describe their proposal for a cell tower at
the Parklawn Recreation Association (PRA).
Heywood Glen, packed the cafeteria of Glasgow Middle School Wednesday evening
to hear representatives of AT&T describe their proposal for a cell tower at
the Parklawn Recreation Association (PRA).
The prospect of a cell tower has been divisive for the
community. Some people who live near the pool have organized a petition drive and
created a website and Facebook group to mobilize opposition to the facility.
They charge the tower would be an eyesore, decrease the value of their homes,
and pose health risks. Members of the PRA, however, see the tower as a
much-needed revenue source, as the aging pool facility needs renovations and
it’s become harder to recruit new members.
community. Some people who live near the pool have organized a petition drive and
created a website and Facebook group to mobilize opposition to the facility.
They charge the tower would be an eyesore, decrease the value of their homes,
and pose health risks. Members of the PRA, however, see the tower as a
much-needed revenue source, as the aging pool facility needs renovations and
it’s become harder to recruit new members.
 |
| The proposed cell tower will be behind the houses on Teton Place in Parklawn. |
AT&T representative Ed Donohue, of Donohue and Stearns Inc., a commercial real estate company with a specialty in wireless facilities,
said the tower is needed because there’s a gap in AT&T coverage in
Parklawn. Actually, “it’s not a tower,” he said. “What we’re proposing is a ‘stealth
tree pole.’” He displayed pictures of similar structures with fake branches on top
to help them blend in with a wooded environment.
said the tower is needed because there’s a gap in AT&T coverage in
Parklawn. Actually, “it’s not a tower,” he said. “What we’re proposing is a ‘stealth
tree pole.’” He displayed pictures of similar structures with fake branches on top
to help them blend in with a wooded environment.
His company performed a “balloon test” to show what the
128-foot pole would look like from different spots in the neighborhood.
Another, more extensive balloon test will be done as part of the official review
process.
128-foot pole would look like from different spots in the neighborhood.
Another, more extensive balloon test will be done as part of the official review
process.
Before AT&T can proceed, Fairfax County will have to
approve a special permit application and special exception. The Fairfax County
Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors will hold
hearings on the proposal before final approval. That process will take six to
eight months, Donohue said, and members of the public will have a chance to
submit comments at all states of the review process.
approve a special permit application and special exception. The Fairfax County
Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors will hold
hearings on the proposal before final approval. That process will take six to
eight months, Donohue said, and members of the public will have a chance to
submit comments at all states of the review process.
Currently, staff from the Department of Planning and Zoning
is preparing a report that will consider the visual impact, setback
requirements, impact on traffic, environmental impact, number of trees to be
removed, and other issues.
is preparing a report that will consider the visual impact, setback
requirements, impact on traffic, environmental impact, number of trees to be
removed, and other issues.
AT&T hopes two or three other cellular companies will
share space on the tower. AT&T is
proposing a 12 by 20-foot boxlike facility embedded in the hill near the tower,
and there would be a similar unit for each of the other companies.
share space on the tower. AT&T is
proposing a 12 by 20-foot boxlike facility embedded in the hill near the tower,
and there would be a similar unit for each of the other companies.
Members of the audience raised all sorts of questions—from
the possible impact on wildlife (not much, said Donohue) to the noise (like a
residential air conditioner), from the needed maintenance (minimal) to the possibility of less-intrusive structures (no).
the possible impact on wildlife (not much, said Donohue) to the noise (like a
residential air conditioner), from the needed maintenance (minimal) to the possibility of less-intrusive structures (no).
According to Donohue, there are at least a dozen tree-like
cell towers in Fairfax County, including one at the Broyhill Crest Recreation Association and another at Holmes Run Pool, both in Annandale.
cell towers in Fairfax County, including one at the Broyhill Crest Recreation Association and another at Holmes Run Pool, both in Annandale.
Parklawn resident Mary Lynch asked whether Donohue had
researched studies on the health impact of living near a cell tower. Donohue
cited several studies by the American Cancer Society, World Health
Organization, National Cancer Institute, and other organizations that confirmed
the towers are safe.
researched studies on the health impact of living near a cell tower. Donohue
cited several studies by the American Cancer Society, World Health
Organization, National Cancer Institute, and other organizations that confirmed
the towers are safe.
Lynch was not convinced, arguing there’s not enough
information to determine the long-term effect of exposure. “I don’t want some
slow-growing tumor that takes 20 years to show up,” she said. She recently
bought a house on Teton Place, directly behind the pool and said she wouldn’t
have moved there if she’d known there was going to be a cell tower in her
backyard.
information to determine the long-term effect of exposure. “I don’t want some
slow-growing tumor that takes 20 years to show up,” she said. She recently
bought a house on Teton Place, directly behind the pool and said she wouldn’t
have moved there if she’d known there was going to be a cell tower in her
backyard.
 |
| This photo from AT&T shows the exact location of the tower, between 4125 and 4127 on Teton Place. |
Thank you for this article–you have represented the presentation well. We appreciate you bringing this story forward for those of us who are determined to keep this cell tower from going up. The most powerful deterrent is being well informed. 🙂
Thanks for posting the summary of the AT&T meeting at Glasgow MS!
A couple of points here:
1. The picture showing the location of the cell tower and commentary is a little inaccurate. The proposed cell tower will be located between the house on the right of the picture and its neighbor to the right; between 4125 and 4127 Teton place. The proposed tower would be approximately 50 feet above the treeline. In other words, there is no way to hide the cell tower from sight.
2. I just want to clarify that AT&T has not considered newer technologies that are less invasive and transmit less radiation.
The photo was not mean to depict the actual location – just the general idea of where the tower will be visible.