Marshalltown Cell Tower

To: Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Marshalltown
We, the following citizens, residents and community advocates of the City of Marshalltown, and all relevant neighboring communities at large do hereby:

OPPOSE the placement of a 120 cell tower and adjoining equipment compound to be located on the property of Best Vacuum Store and More, 107 East Meadow Lane, Marshalltown, Iowa for the following reasons:

1. The proposed cell tower does not belong near any area zoned for Single Family Residential Use.

2. The introduction of this structure into the landscape would forever alter the character of the City of Marshalltown.

3. A tower 120 in height is directly out of scale with, and in great contrast to, the natural aesthetics of the surrounding area.

4. It will lower property values of the single family homes in this residential community, and residents would seek lower tax assessments as a result of this tower. There are various appraiser journals and industry publications that support the arguments of reduced property values and cell phone towers.

5. If the City allows this tower and adjoining equipment compound and facility to be constructed in a Single Family Residential Zoned area, the precedent will be set in stone. Many more towers will be popping up, perhaps next in your backyard. The township will no longer have any recourse once a precedent has been set.

6. The proposed special use and development will have a substantial adverse effect upon adjacent property and the character of the neighborhood. Both of these conditions are prohibited under Chapter 27, Special Use Regulations, Section 3 Standards for Review, Item 3. This item specifically reads: That the proposed use and development will not have a substantial adverse effect upon adjacent property; the character of the neighborhood; traffic conditions; parking; utility and service facilities; and other factors affecting the public health, safety, and welfare.

REQUEST that the City of Marshalltown Zoning Board:

1. Determine if a legitimate need for a cell tower exists in the center of Marshalltown. This need should be verified by data from US Cellular and by Marshalltown resident user feedback.

2. Investigate less intrusive areas not located near residential neighborhoods that would be more suited to house a 120 cell tower and all accompanying equipment compounds and facilities. A suitable area would be one that would not have an adverse effect upon adjacent property or the character of the neighborhood.