Mock up of what proposed cell tower would look like
The North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association has a long standing history of working with cell companies to keep technology current in our neighborhood, while maintaining our neighborhood character. As a result, all cell equipment is hidden throughout our neighborhood in church bell towers, steeples or behind rooftop parapets.
A 3rd party subcontractor representing Verizon has filed for a use permit to build a 65' monopine at 301 E. Bethany Home Road and reduce the setbacks from the required 150 feet from residentially zoned properties to 60 feet. Would you want one of these erected next to your house? There is significant evidence that these fake cell tower trees significantly reduce property values and make selling your home extremely difficult.
We have asked the applicant to continue the hearing as we believe reasonable and attractive solutions are available. Our requests have been dismissed. To date, there are NO fake cell tower trees within the NCPHA borders and we deserve to keep it that way.
The surrounding neighborhood is very opposed to this and we agree with them. The zoning hearing for this case is set for next Thursday, August 13th at 1:30 p.m. and is the next to the last item on the agenda.
We are opposing this zoning case and need your support to fight this. Below is a draft email. We would greatly appreciate it if you would send in an email ASAP expressing your opposition too. Please address it to zoning.adjustment@phoenix.gov and make sure you add the case # ZA-336-20. Also, if you are a Verizon customer and have not seen a degradation of service, please include that as well. According to the Verizon website, the service they provide in our area is excellent.
To Whom It May Concern,
I strongly oppose the use permit to build an entirely new cell tower at 301 E. Bethany Home Road on the site of Pueblo Nuevo office complex, zoning case #ZA-336-20. This 65-foot cell tower, in the form of a fake metal tree, violates the distance requirements to residential neighborhoods. There is extensive documentation that shows cell towers reduce property values and homes sales suffer when a cell tower is present. They are an eyesore that no one wants in their backyard.
The fact that Verizon has enjoyed 20 years at this location and that the trees on the office complex’s property that they claim are obstructing their signals, is clearly self-imposed.
North Central is a mature, established neighborhood with a 17% tree canopy and we are adding trees to fulfill the City’s goal of a 25% tree canopy by 2030. Trees will continue to be planted and grow in this area. An attempt to compete with real trees by installing a fake one is a losing battle.
For Verizon to put up a fake “stealth” structure (that will not look stealth or tree-like) is not a solution to the future of wireless needs in our City. With the advancement of technology, this old style solution is not suited for the future of our City nor North Central.
I strongly suggest you oppose this use permit until a better long-term solution is available and reasonable to the surrounding neighborhood.
Thank you for your continued support to keep North Central a beautiful, residential neighborhood.
