Written by Caleb Wirtz
Monday’s city council meeting began with a packed murmur, and police officers prevented further attendees because the room was occupied. The controversy surrounding his plans to build a new 5G Verizon tower has sparked significant public interest.
With three pages of public commentators signing up for discussion and questions, the Legislature placed certain limits on the number of speakers.Sapulpa Mayor Craig Henderson explained that many of the comments likely contained overlapping concerns.
“I want this to be a civil discussion,” Mayor Henderson said. “We expect there to be a certain level of civility here and no shouting or shouting at each other or other spectators.”
Verizon representative Andy Rotenstreich released information about the proposed 5G monopole tower and the reasoning behind it. The tower will be 175 feet tall on his land at 11320 South 49th West Ave.
“The whole point of this plan is to improve coverage between (Highway 117) to the south and Creek Turnpike to the north,” Rothenstreich said. “All new residential and tourist development in that area where coverage is less important than in other areas of the city.”
Mr. Rothenstreich detailed the various regulations, ordinances, and FCC, FAA, and State Historic Preservation Office regulations regarding approval of construction plans. He explained that despite being near residential areas, the townspeople’s height and distance to those areas is within the ordinance.
“Let’s keep in mind what we’re doing here: We’re building poles,” Rothenstreich said. “There’s no dust, no odors, no smoke, no traffic. When you think about the health impacts, I can’t think of a more benign use of the property.”
He also noted a number of materials he brought to the council, including information from the FDA and FCC on health issues, and said he found no health issues.
Sapulpa City Attorney David Widos presented information regarding the possibility of rejecting the proposal despite meeting regulations.
“If we have an application that meets all of the zoning requirements currently in place, we would need substantial evidence in the record to deny it,” Widos said. “Something beyond mere generalizations.”
The City Council proceeded with a 40-minute public comment session that consisted primarily of concerns about health, the tower’s 5G usage, and the potential impact on home values. One commenter submitted a petition for homeowners near the proposed cell tower site, which included signatures from 80 people who agreed they didn’t want cell towers.
These concerns initially led the Planning Commission to reject the proposal and caused many people in the two affected neighborhoods to oppose it. The link between 5G and negative health effects dates back to what is considered a conspiracy theory
“Why are thousands of peer-reviewed studies, including a 16-year, $30 million study showing widespread and significant DNA damage, infertility and sperm damage, being ignored by the FCC?” said Mrs. Goodman, a local resident. Told.
The $30 million figure is likely a reference to a National Institutes of Health study that found that high-frequency exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) can cause increased DNA damage. .
“To date, numerous studies have found no adverse health effects causally related to exposure to wireless technology,” the World Health Organization said.
In its 5G document, the WHO explains that tissue heating is the main interaction between radiofrequency waves and the human body. They state that temperature changes in the human body with current technology are not significant.
Several commenters also raised concerns that issues related to this tower and 5G could negatively impact property values. Cell phone towers in general can be associated with lower property values, according to a study of neighborhood cell phone towers by the National Institute of Science, Law, and Public Policy (NISLAPP).
According to NISLAPP, “An overwhelming majority of respondents, 94%, reported that cell phone towers and antennas in their neighborhood or on buildings influence their interest in a property and the price they are willing to pay for it. ”.
After lengthy exchanges and concerns from many Sapalpans, the proposal was put to a vote. However, there were no motions for or against the proposal, and as a result, the proposal was scrapped. When the results were read out, the audience erupted into applause and gratitude for the members.
