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Pacific Grove parents fighting cell tower at school Parents are worried the tower could have negative impacts on their children's health. "We don't want our kids being the Guinea Pigs to find out in five, 10, 15 years that it does indeed cause things like cancer," said parent Amy Fallavena Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT CAITLIN: THIS IS THE LOCATION RIGHT HERE. YOU CAN SEE HOW CLOSE IT IS TO THE SCHOOL. THAT IS WHAT HAS PARENTS WORRIED. >> IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, IT’S RIGHT TO THE LEFT. CAITLIN: PACIFIC GROVE MOM AMY FALLAVENA DOES NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF A CELL TOWER GOING IN RIGHT ABOVE HER CHILD’S CLASSROOM. SHE’S KNOWS THE SCIENCE IS NOT IN ON THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE EMISSIONS BUT SHE DOESN’T WANT TO RISK IT. >> THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE DON’T WANT OUR KIDS BEING THE GUINEA PIGS TO FIND OUT IN FIVE, 10, 15 YEARS THAT IT DOES INDEED CAUSE THINGS LIKE CANCER TUMORS , DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAIN. WE DON’T WANT OUR KIDS TO BE THE GUINEA PIGS. CAITLIN: FALLAVENA IS THE LEADER OF A GROUP OF PARENTS WHO ARE AGAINST VERIZON’S PLANS TO PUT A TOWER IN NEXT TO PACIFIC GROVE HIGH SCHOOL AND FOREST GROVE ELEMENTARY THE PROPOSED LOCATION IS ON A PIECE OF PROERTY THAT IS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY ALONG FOREST LODGE ROAD. IT’S ALSO NEXT TO A WELL TRAFFIC PATH THAT STUDENTS USE COMING AND LEAVING SCHOOL. THE CITY HAS ALREADY APPROVED THE PLANS, BUT THE PARENT GROUP HAS FILED AN APPEAL, ARGUING THE CELL TOWER ISN’T NEEDED. THE PROJECT WOULD IMPROVE CELL COVERAGE IN THE AREA. ESPECIALLY WHEN KIDS GET OUT OF SCHOOL AND ON THEIR PHONES. BUT SOME STUDENTS SAY THEY DON’T WANT IT. >> WELL NOT EVERYBODY HAS VERIZON SO THAT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE JUST A SINGLE CELL TOWER FOR VERIZON USERS. CAITLIN: THE APPEAL APPLICATION ALONE COST PARENTS $1400 AND THEY’RE HOPING TO PACK CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANNING TO SHOW UP TOMORROW NIGHT. A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF NOT HAVING A CELL TOWER HERE. CAITLIN: FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS MUNICIPALITIES FROM DENYING APPLICATIONS FOR CELL TOWERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE BASED ON HEALTH CONCERNS. THIS GROUP IS ARGUING THAT IT WOULD BE A FIRE HAZARD IN THIS AREA WHERE THERE ARE PINE TREES, THAT IT COULD HURT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES AND IT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO PROPERTY VALUES. ERIN: THE CITY OF MONTEREY IS ALSO DEALING WITH HOW TO HANDLE NEW WIRELESS FACILITIES. A PROPOSAL FROM VERIZON TO INSTALL SMALL CELL DEVICES IN THE MONTE VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD RESULTED IN AN ANTI CELL TOWER MOVEMENT THAT BROUGHT HUNDREDS OUT TO PUBLIC MEETINGS. A NEWLY ESTABLISHED WIRELESS SUBCOMMITTEE WILL MEET THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT CITY HALL. THE COMMITTEE IS TASKED WITH CONSIDERING A REWRITE TO THE CITY’S WIRELESS ORDINAN