Beware of cell towers in your neighborhood

Verizon signed a contract with a homeowner in the Winterwarm/Jackson neighborhood to construct a cell tower on their property.

We received a one-page project summary from the County's Planning and Development Services informing us of a proposed unmanned telecommunications site, which is a cell tower. It would be located within 100 yards of our home. The form stated the planning group meets on the third Monday of each month at Live Oak Elementary, and we could call the group chair with concerns.

Realtor Magazine reported an overwhelming 94 percent of homebuyers and renters surveyed by the National Institute of Science, Law and Public Policy say they are less interested and would pay less for a property located near a cell tower. Of the 1,000 survey respondents, 79 percent said under no circumstances would they ever purchase or rent within a few blocks of a tower or antenna due to the tower's radiation.

A 20 to 25 percent discount in home prices is common when a cell tower is nearby. Our home, like most Fallbrook residences, is the most valuable asset we own. We cannot afford to give up 20 to 25 percent of our home's value because of Verizon. Cell phone companies take advantage of Fallbrook since we are not a city and have no zoning laws to prohibit cell towers in residential neighborhoods.

We need support in opposing the Winterwarm/Jackson tower when it is on the planning group's agenda. We will support you when it happens in your neighborhood. Jim and Marjorie Claborn