The residents of Santa Clara are writing to express our concern about the proposed installation of an AT&T cell node on our street. We are asking the city of Santa Clara to say no to AT&T and not allow AT&T to add a cell phone node in our neighborhood.

We are aware that AT&T is requesting a permit from the city to install this node, but we believe that this decision is being made without due consideration of the potential health risks, property value impact, and neighborhood aesthetics.

Health Risks

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests that exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from cell towers and other wireless devices can have negative health effects, including cancer, brain tumors, and reproductive problems. The World Health Organization has classified RFR as a "possible human carcinogen," and the National Toxicology Program has found that exposure to RFR can cause cancer in rats.

We are concerned about the potential health risks of living near this cell node, especially for children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of RFR. We urge the city to reconsider its decision to allow the installation of this node until more research is done on the health effects of RFR.

Property Value Impact

In addition to the health risks, we are also concerned about the property value impact of this cell node. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that homes within 500 feet of a cell tower sell for an average of $10,000 less than homes that are farther away. This is because buyers are concerned about the potential health risks of living near a cell tower.

We are worried that the installation of this cell node will lower the property values of our homes and our neighbors' homes. We urge the city to take this into account when making its decision.

Neighborhood Aesthetics

The proposed cell node will also have a negative impact on the aesthetics of our neighborhood. It will be a large, unsightly structure that will be visible from many homes. This will make our neighborhood less desirable and could drive down property values. Not only is it a physical structure, the cell node will emit a constant humming, which would be a nuisance for us and our neighbors.

Berkeley and Palos Verdes are two cities that were able to reject cell node installations in various neighborhoods through their cities. Both used the vehicle of “prioritization” to keep the cell industry’s installations away from people’s homes. We believe that Santa Clara should follow these cities lead and ban the installation of cell nodes in residential areas.

We urge the city to consider the impact of this cell node on the aesthetics of our neighborhood and look at Berkeley and Palos Verdes before making a decision.

Precedent

Although this particular cell node may not directly affect you, it can set a precedent for future node installations in our residential neighborhood. Which can possibly spread to surrounding neighborhoods if they start here.

Action we urge the city to take

We urge the city to take the following actions to stop the installation of this cell node:

• Direct City staff to reject AT&T's permit application.
• Hold public hearings on the cell tower issue.
• Pass new ordinances that prohibit the installation of cell nodes in residential neighborhoods.

We understand that the city cannot successfully fight these installations on health and safety grounds. However, we believe that the city can fight back - and win - on the grounds of neighborhood aesthetics, home values, and noise.

Thank you for your consideration. We would appreciate comments on this issue from the city and AT&T. We know that many residents of Santa Clara are concerned as we are.

Sincerely,

The Residents of Santa Clara