Rancho Mirage residents urge city to move controversial cell tower due to health concerns
Some Rancho Mirage residents are fighting against a proposal for a new cell tower within their residential community.
The tower is being proposed in the Westin Mission Hills community. City plans show the tower would be disguised as a 60-foot clock tower. It would be about 130 feet from the closest homes.
Some people who were aware of the proposal said they’ve been waiting years for a boost in cell signal in the area.
“We’ve been residents here in Rancho Mirage for 13 years and we’ve had multiple different carriers and we’ve always had an issue,” said Lori Segal, a Mission Hills resident. “Every time you go Gerald Ford by the discovery center, calls drop.”
But others said they while they are in support of increased cell phone coverage, they are concerned about the long-term health risks the tower and its radio emissions could pose to residents of the nearby homes.
“All we’re asking is why not play it safe for now,” said Mission Hills resident Mason Grigsby. “Just move it out of the direct range of the people that are here — dont make them an experiment.
Federal regulations state that a city can’t deny “the approval of a cell tower based on electromagnetic waves and their effect on public health and safety” since they already comply with the FCC’s emissions regulations.
But residents are calling on city council to keep their community safe.
“Do your research – make sure its safe,” Segal said. “You represent all of us – do your research.”
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