Radio tower property cleanup complete after residents’ fire concerns prompt action

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Months after neighboring residents raised concerns about a potential fire hazard at the KGX Broadcast Center property, the cleanup is now complete, bringing relief to those living next door.

The overgrown property along Dinah Shore Drive had become a growing concern for residents at Mountain View Apartments, a senior housing community. They pointed to dry vegetation, overgrown tamarisk trees and signs of trespassing, fearing a brush fire could quickly spread to their homes. The City of Cathedral City later confirmed the property was under an active code enforcement investigation and that the owner had been cited for violations.

Now, those concerns have largely been addressed.

"Generally I would say I, and other residents are relieved and grateful," said Mountain View resident Elizabeth Cunneff.

Cunneff first contacted News Channel 3 months ago after growing increasingly worried about the conditions next to the senior housing complex.

"Without all that foliage, I don't feel nervous anymore. I really don't. I don't feel like I'm going to die in my bed anymore," Cunneff said.

She believes bringing attention to the issue helped push the cleanup forward.

To determine who completed the work, News Channel 3 asked Cathedral City for clarification. The city initially said only that "a responsible party carried out the cleanup." After further questions, the city declined to identify the company, stating:

"What's going on between the parties on the property is a civil matter, so the City is not going to elaborate on that side of it. From the City's perspective, we're just glad the work got done and that the community has a safer outcome."

News Channel 3 then contacted the property owner, who confirmed American Tower — the company responsible for maintaining the land surrounding the radio tower under an easement agreement — performed the cleanup.

The work resolves one of the central issues in Cathedral City's code enforcement case, which had been delayed while questions remained over who was responsible for maintaining portions of the property covered by the tower easement.

While some residents say conditions have improved significantly, Cunneff believes some hazards remain.

"Look at all this up here... some of the branches that are headed horizontally... I don't know why those things weren't brought down. It looks like they aren't attached, and with the weather they'll come down eventually," she said.

Although the cleanup is complete, the legal dispute over maintenance responsibilities continues. The property owner is asking a judge to rule that American Tower, not the property owner, is responsible for maintaining the tower easement and paying the costs associated with those conditions.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.