Some residents in Montgomery County are upset by a proposal to build small cell phone towers in front of their homes. News4’s Jackie Bensen reports.
Residents of a Montgomery County neighborhood say they are concerned about a proposal that would permit the county to install 30 foot cell phone towers in front of their homes.
County officials are considering amending zoning laws so Crown Castle, a wireless infrastructure company, can erect "small cell solutions" towers in residential neighborhoods in Gaithersburg, Germantown and North Potomac, Maryland.
According to Crown Castle's website, there are nine proposed tower sites in the area of Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The towers would go on small pieces of land owned by the county, known as public right-of-way.
"Between the sidewalk and the curb is technically county property," said community activist Andy Spivak.
Spivak has created a petition urging county officials not to approve the amendment. So far, it has more than 200 signatures.
He said he's not against new cell towers, but doesn't believe they should be so close to homes.
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"To add these to these communities, aside from the unknown health risks and safety risks for children playing, is the decrease in home value," Spivak said.
"I don't think this is a good idea," said homeowner Feng Yang.
Yang said he is shocked by a proposal to put a 30 foot cell tower in front of his house.
"I just worry about people's health because the radiation, or something like that, so...this is like radiation pollution," Yang said.
According to Crown Castle's website, "most scientists agree that there are no adverse health effects from cellular signals."
News4 reached out to the office of Montgomery County Council Member Nancy Floreen. Her office said she is out of the office, but will comment when she returns.
The council is expected to have a closed hearing to discuss the cell towers on Sept. 12.
