Proposed Cell Tower at Marshalltown High School

To: Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Marshalltown
CC: Marshalltown Community School Board

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 Marshalltown High School, 1602 S. 2nd Avenue Marshalltown, Iowa for the following reasons:

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

2. 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.

3. Residential Areas - Not the Place for Cell Towers:

Allowing residential landowners to place cell towers on their properties is not in the best interest of our community. These towers should be first placed on industrial, commercial, and agricultural zoned lands. There are other locations that would best suit this cell tower away from homes or schools.

4. Who Will Benefit From Cellular Tower:

Only the landowner (Marshalltown High School) and US Cellular clients will benefit from this cell tower. Why should the majority of individuals in our community be forced to deal with the negative aspects of the cell tower for the financial gain of the school?

5. US Cellular:

US Cellular has not proved why existing towers in the area, or an alternative location, cannot be used instead of erecting a cell tower adjacent a residential neighborhood and on school grounds where the health of those living nearby or attending the high school may be affected, as they are put in harms way.

6. Health Issues of Electromagnetic Fields:

There is a growing number of scientific studies linking cell towers to health related illnesses issues such as; headaches, dizziness, loss of memory, lack of concentration, sleep disorders, depression as well as cancer! Particularly vulnerable are children under the age of 20, as they have a developing immune and nervous system, as well as senior citizens. The Marshalltown High School has over 1300 students and a cell tower near the school could adversely effect the students health, as well as the students learning ability.

The proposed tower would also be in close proximity to residential neighborhoods, nursing homes and other senior living homes, as well as daycare and pre-schools. It is a consensus within the scientific community that children and seniors are more susceptible to environmental toxins (such as EMFs from cell towers) and extra precaution should be taken to avoid exposure to such toxins.

We are concerned about the potential impact the proposed cell tower will have on the lives of children and seniors in our community and near the proposed cell tower. We are also concerned about how the proposed cell tower will financially impact nearby businesses in the area that serve children and seniors.

7. The proposed special use and development will have a substantial adverse effect upon adjacent property as well as the character, health and 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.

The Marshalltown Community School District is considering entering into a long-term lease agreement with US Cellular to allow a cell tower to be constructed on school property. However, the Marshalltown High School grounds is not a suitable site for this cellular tower based on the points outlined in this petition.

We REQUEST that the City of Marshalltown Zoning Board:

1. Take a precautionary approach and strongly consider the potential health effects from the proposed cell tower.

2. 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.

3. Investigate less intrusive areas not located near schools and 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 businesses.

Sincerely,