Petition to Protect Cedar Grove - Area Residents

To: City of Tustin
PETITION TO PROTECT CEDAR GROVE PARK
The undersigned residents of Tustin and other Area Cities are opposed to the proposal being considered by the City of Tustin and Planning Commission to erect a 65ft cell phone tower within Cedar Grove Park. Our opposition is based upon the following considerations:
1. The proposed tower is completely inconsistent with the residential nature of the Cedar Grove Park area and would create a hardship on the surrounding community. In this instance or any other similar situation, a non-residential area should be the only allowable placement for any cell tower.
2. A cellular phone tower at the proposed location will NOT improve wireless coverage effectively.
3. A tower of 65 ft tall is completely out of scale with, and in great contrast to, the natural aesthetics of the surrounding area. The instruction of this structure to the landscape would be an eye-sore and forever alter the residential and pastoral character of the community. Cedar Grove Park is important open space of historical and ecological significance.
4. It would lower property values to the neighboring single family homes and town houses in the 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 proposed tower is allowed to be constructed near residential area, a precedent will be set for future wireless carriers to build towers in other Tustin Ranch neighborhoods, perhaps next in your backyard.
6. The proposed tower will be within short distance of Peters Canyon Elementary School and Pioneer Middle School property lines and could present a danger to children at these schools. This tower will be in an area children can view daily and travel around quickly and easily.
7. The proposed tower is in close proximity to residential neighborhoods and schools presents potential health risks, especially for young kids. A growing number of scientific studies linking cell tower to health related illnesses issues such as headaches, dizziness, depression, as well as cancer.

We REQUEST that the planning commissioners take a precautionary approach, strongly consider the potential physical and mental health effects, aesthetic impacts, and ineffective coverage improvement from the proposed cell tower, and do everything in your power to prevent this tower (and future cell towers) from being built near this residential area!