Some Valencia Residents Worried About Potential Health Risks Of Proposed AT&T Cell Tower

VALENCIA (CBSLA.com) — Some Valencia residents are worried about the potential health risks associated with a proposed plan to put an AT&T cellphone tower in the neighborhood.

Residents are concerned about the radio frequencies and declining property values that would supposedly result from the tower, which would be built on Fairview Drive near homes in the Northbridge neighborhood.

"People are not going to want to buy a house that close to a cell site tower," resident Cheryl Carpet said.

"They're microwave towers. We just don't want that microwave tower in our neighborhood," Chip Potter said.

Marilyn Warren, an AT&T spokeswoman, said the tower is necessary to bridge cell service gaps. She explained that the 42-foot tower would be disguised as a tree and the radio frequencies would be regulated.

"AT&T complies with all federal requirements for health and safety. It's a given," she said.

Despite the residents' concerns, the Santa Clarita Planning Commission approved the tower, saying its hands are tied. Under FCC guidelines, a city can't take health issues into consideration when deciding on cellphone towers.

Residents, however, will continue to fight. They have 15 days to appeal the decision. The city council will hold a public hearing on March 5.

"We're not giving up. We're going to come back and take this to the proper channels and make sure our voice is heard," resident Jim Piccirillo said.