Jamestown Cell Tower Remains On Hold

JAMESTOWN – A 100-foot Verizon cell tower being considered for the Hillcrest Baptist Church remains on hold as it has been removed from today’s Zoning Board of Appeals agenda.
The tower will not be considered by the Board until at least March 7.

There are cell towers in various locations across Chautauqua County. Local towers are located on Orchard Road, about a mile west of Falconer, Hardscrapple Road in Westfield, Clymer Hill, Brainard Hill in Ellington, Meadow Road in Arkwright, Clinton Avenue in Fredonia and one in Mina.

Other proposed sites include Bergman Park and the use of small cell boosters along the Fairmount Ave. corridor. Verizon officials have said, however, those solutions will not fix the capacity issue presented.
The FCC regulates cell companies like a public utility. Verizon said they are required to maintain coverage in the Jamestown area.
The Verizon team has said there is “limited flexibility” where the project could be located.

Residents have voiced concerns about property devaluation and line-of-sight issues, but say there are other issues that may need addressed, including environmental factors.

The American Cancer Society, however, reports the chances of becoming ill when living near a tower are slight. Public exposure to radio waves from cell phone towers is less likely to impact people’s health because power levels are relatively low, much lower than radio and television signals. Also, signals from cell towers are transmitted intermittently rather than constantly.