Verizon intends to build a 150-foot cell phone tower on land leased from the Firs.

We, the undersigned, represent citizens opposed to the placement of a Verizon cell phone tower on the grounds of Camp Firwood and in close proximity to residents of Sudden Valley. While we would greatly appreciate enhanced cell phone reception in the Sudden Valley neighborhood, we feel that the long-term impact of cell phone towers on neighborhoods, wildlife, and individuals is still greatly unknown. As such, we feel the need to proceed with extreme caution and wish to prevent a cell phone tower from being constructed in an area populated by families, children and wildlife. Alternative locations were identified by Verizon and would allow for additional coverage in Sudden Valley and be further from homes and children; we are urging Verizon to use such an alternate location.

We wish to see this project halted for reasons including, but not limited, to the following:

Diminished Property Values and Aesthetics
The Sudden Valley neighborhood is a beautiful, forested environment. Our power lines are buried to preserve the natural aesthetics and a cell phone tower — especially one to rise an estimated 30’-50’ above the tallest trees and to be painted orange and white — will be an unnatural addition that will decrease desirability for residents and home buyers. Swallow Circle would be the most adversely affected, and possibly areas of Grand View Lane as well as other areas with a view of the proposed tower. According to a 2005 study published in the Appraisal Journal, “the results of the sales analysis show prices of properties were reduced by around 21% after a CPBS [cell phone tower] was built in the neighborhood.” [Source link]

Environmental Impacts
It appears that over 50 trees have been marked for removal at the top of the hill in the proposed location of the tower. The residents of Swallow Circle and Grand View Lane specifically have concerns over the loss of protection from the wind and potential land slide concerns once the land is barren.

Health Hazards, Especially for Children
Sudden Valley is the home to many, including families with children, and The Firs conducts summer camps specifically for children on the parcel in question. According to a 2007 study of the neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations, "the prevalence of neuropsychiatric complaints as headache (23.5%), memory changes (28.2%), dizziness (18.8%), tremors (9.4%), depressive symptoms (21.7%), and sleep disturbance (23.5%) were significantly higher among exposed inhabitants than controls." [Source link]

While the Telecommunications Act of 1996 may prohibit challenges of “undesirable health effects,” other countries and various communities in the United States have banned or are banning cell towers near schools because of the hazards they pose to humans, and especially children. While there are many conflicting studies showing or disproving the link between long-term adverse health effects and RF exposure, we feel it is best to err on the side of safety when considering the placement of such towers.

Threat to Wildlife
Sudden Valley is home to a large variety of wildlife species. In 2010, a Bombay Natural History Society review of 919 studies found that 593 studies showed a negative impact of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from cell phone towers on birds, bees, wildlife, and plants. [Source link] As with the potential health risk to humans, we have concerns over the negative affect that the tower may pose to our native wildlife.

Additional Risks
There may be other additional risks to the placement of the tower in the planned location, such as risk of fire at the base and trespassing along planned access roads.

Conclusion
We strongly feel that Verizon and other telecommunications companies should be required to find more appropriate locations and exhaust all alternative scenarios. As was stated within the independent review of the plans, “it should be noted that Verizon does have sites just outside of the Sudden Valley community.” [Source link] The report explains that the sites just out of Sudden Valley may not provide the desired level of coverage that Verizon seeks to gain; however, the desires of the community it will affect should also be taken into consideration.

The independent review noted that no coverage would be available to the specified area if the alternative AT&T location was chosen (3.3.2.1 Scenario 1) but there is confirmed Verizon wireless coverage in the Swallow Circle / Grand View Lane region of the map, causing us to question its accuracy.

We proudly join the growing coalition of citizens across the country who are standing up to the intrusion of cell phone towers into residential areas. We urge you to support the residents of Sudden Valley and prevent the placement of a cell phone tower alongside our neighborhood.

Sincerely,

The concerned residents, homeowners, and others who have voluntarily signed this petition.

File Number: SEP2015-00036 & CUP2015-00003
Parcel Number: 370408490372
Project Name: BEL Sudden Valley Wireless Communication Facility
Applicant: Verizon Wireless
Date Submitted: June 1, 2015
Notice of Completeness Date: June 12, 2015
Notice of Application Date: July 6, 2015
Comments Due Date: July 21, 2015
Project Description: The proposal is for the development of a 150-foot tall steel monopole with an initial antenna array consisting of twelve (12) panel antennas mounted to the top of the monopole, and one (1) 6-foot wide microwave dish antenna mounted below the panel antennas. The facility will also include outdoor equipment cabinets, and a diesel powered generator for emergency backup power. The facility will be within a 60’ x 40’ fenced compound.
Zone: Rural 1 Unit/5 Acres
Comp Plan: Rural
Shoreline Jurisdiction: N/A
Site Address: 1740 Lake Whatcom Boulevard