Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... CELL TOWER AT&T withdraws Ashland cell tower proposal Neighbors, city had raised concerns AT&T has withdrawn its proposal for a cell tower on the outskirts of Ashland that had some people concerned about potential health and aesthetic impacts. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 11:25 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 11:25 AM » Social News AT&T has withdrawn its proposal for a cell tower on the outskirts of Ashland that had some people concerned about potential health and aesthetic impacts. Jackson County had scheduled a public hearing about the proposal on May 4, but canceled the hearing after the proposal was withdrawn by the applicant. "AT&T regularly evaluates network construction plans, market conditions and customer needs and adjusts its plans accordingly," Rick Thomas, an AT&T spokesperson, said in a written statement. "We will continue to assess opportunities to expand in the area in the future as part of our ongoing network review process, but will not be constructing in that area at this time. Existing AT&T services will not be impacted." The 84-foot-tall tower had been planned on East Ashland Lane near Exit 19 on land under county jurisdiction. County staff had given tentative approval for the tower, but neighbor Arleen Van Buskirk and state Sen. Alan Bates requested the public hearing on the proposed tower. The Van Buskirk family voiced concerns about potential radiation from the tower and said their property value could plummet. In response to fears about radiation, the county said health issues are outside the scope of the county's review, other than to require compliance with Federal Communications Commission requirements. The FCC says at ground level near cell towers, the amount of radio frequency energy is thousands of times less than limits set for safe exposure by the FCC and other regulatory agencies. The city of Ashland had weighed in, saying the tower would be unsightly. County staff imposed conditions that the tower be built in a "stealth" style to look like a pine tree. Ashland area residents who don't live near the proposed cell tower had planned to attend the May 4 public hearing along with concerned neighbors. Residents on the opposite end of town remain upset about a 125-foot-tall cell tower that went up this winter on Mistletoe Road on a pocket of land under county jurisdiction. Michelle Jensen said a red aviation-warning light atop that tower ruins views in southeast Ashland. "The big red light is bothering people. It's like you don't want to look out your window," she said. Jensen said it's difficult for the average person to get information about proposed cell towers and know who to contact to try and stop them from being installed. "People are feeling more and more lost about what to do," she said. AT&T had originally proposed hiding the southeast Ashland cell facility inside the facade of Ashland Street Cinemas, but was met with stiff resistance by Ashland residents worried about radiation. The Ashland City Council then adopted stiffer requirements for companies wanting to install cell facilities inside city limits. Meanwhile, some residents and businesses have complained about spotty cell coverage in and around Ashland. AT&T has said it has received numerous complaints about dead zones. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 11:25 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501