The construction currently in progress on the Brookwood playground is to install a new 64ft 5G cell tower. 

As neighbors, we wanted to share with you: 1) what we have learned after contacting our city and school officials, 2) our concerns about this project, and 3) what actions you can take if you share these concerns.

Why is a new tower being constructed?
Brookwood Elementary School in Sandy, Utah has had a 4G cell tower on campus since around 2010. It’s the white pole by the front entrance that looks like a flag pole. As part of the ongoing contract between Canyons School District (CSD) and Atlas Tower, the old tower is being replaced with a new, larger 5G tower. The school receives $1500/month in exchange for hosting the tower. This is about $3/student per month.

What will the new tower look like?
There will be a 60-foot cell tower, in the form of an artificial tree, with branches to 64 feet. Sandy is requiring 14 real bushes/shrubs to be planted around the tower. There will be a 6-foot wall with 1 gated access around the tower with 3 additional sub leasing spaces next to the tree. This structure will be 65 x 25. (Pictured above: a similar "tree" at Park Lane Elementary)

Why wasn’t the community informed about the development?
The city did not legally require the district to inform the neighborhood because it doesn’t violate any existing Sandy City codes. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Potential Concerns Regarding the Cell Tower

SAFETY
Two factors that determine levels of radiation exposure are distance from the source, and duration of exposure. Cell towers are concerning because they emit radiation continually. Due to the potential long-term health consequences, in other countries and in other communities in the US there are laws prohibiting cell towers from being built on or near schools. (mdsafetech.org)

Many studies have concluded that these towers near our homes and schools are safe, but there are also many studies that have raised serious concerns. The American Cancer Society directly states, "Most expert organizations agree that more research is needed... especially for any possible long-term effects."  For $3 per student per month, is this a risk we should have been taking for the last 12 years, and should continue to experiment with for years to come? We need more compelling reasons to assume this risk on our school’s campus.

AESTHETICS
The proposed tower is going to be visually obtrusive. It will stand out above surrounding homes and natural trees. It will obstruct mountain views and be a giant eye sore for our community. 

WHAT CAN WE DO?

1. EMAIL CANYONS SCHOOL DISTRICT
If you share any of these concerns, or have concerns of your own, please share them with our district leaders. Due to the concerns of neighbors communicated thus far, currently the district has paused construction. Let’s let them know that this is important to our community!

Please email Leon and copy the others:

Leon Wilcox (Business Administrator and CFO) leon.wilcox@canyonsdistrict.org
801.826.5040

Nancy Tingy (School Board President)
nancy.tingey@canyonsdistrict.org

Steve Wrigley (Brookwood’s School Board Rep)
steve.wrigley@canyonsdistrict.org

Dr. Rick Robins (School Superintendent)
rick.robins@canyonsdistrict.org

2. COMMIT TO SUPPORTING BROOKWOOD!
Once we are successful in breaking the contract, let's demonstrate our commitment to Brookwood and keep their current programs running. While parents of students can support the effort, we know others in our community are interested in supporting the school as well. Let principal Barrett know that we are happy to help, and as a community we would rather fund these important programs ourselves.

Corrie Barrett (Brookwood Principal)
corrie.barrett@canyonsdistrict.org

3. SIGN THIS CHANGE.ORG PETITION
Should Change.org ask you to donate to help this petition gain traction, know that Brookwood neighbors are already being informed directly. Consider sharing this link only and setting aside your donations for Brookwood Elementary instead.

All the best,
Your Brookwood Neighbors

https://ehtrust.org/policy/international-policy-actions-on-wireless/
https://mdsafetech.org/cell-tower-health-effects/
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/cellular-phone-towers.html

CLARIFICATION:
We are in no way affiliated with the PTA. We are a group of concerned parents that simply want to donate versus accept funds from this tower. We have been informed that the PTA is not the appropriate avenue to direct our donations. The PTA is not connected to the tower project or the items it funds. We apologize for any confusion we may have caused.