Petition to the Commissioners of Thurmont: Regarding Reconsideration of Sprint and Nextel Site Plans for Installation of Wireless Antennas at the Orchard Hills Water Tower August 14, 2000 We the undersigned, strongly urge that the Commissioners of Thurmont/Planning and Zoning Commission deny any proposed site plans for wireless antenna installations on the water tower located in the Orchard Hills/Altogether residential subdivisions. We object to the installation of antennas on the water tower, as well as the proposed base buildings, for the following reasons: (1) Orchard Hills and Altogether subdivisions comprise a pure residential area. We strongly favor preserving the residential character of the neighborhood and avoiding aesthetic blight. Furthermore, the encroachment of commercial development in our residential area will set a conflicting precedent. (2) Residential Property Values are likely to decline. Efforts to soften the impact of unsightly base equipment buildings for antennas will be insufficient since fencing and foliage will not completely conceal what amounts to visual pollution. The antennas would be more appropriately placed in an industrial or commercial area. (3) Scenic Route 15 is directly adjacent to Orchard Hills and Altogether subdivisions. The water tower is clearly visible from Route 15 and will affect aesthetics of nature along this route. (4) There is a lack of critical information about radiation level and RF hot spots. (5) There is insufficient scientific evidence about the actual safety of radiation exposure for families living close to cell towers/antennas. Given the current gaps in knowledge, and the continuing debate on safety issues within the scientific community, cell towers and antennas would be more wisely sited in an industrial or commercial area. Petition in Word File Format Please feel free to download the petition. Then make copies and distribute for collection of signatures. Send e-mail for petition drop-off location.

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