To the Editor:
Many families with children at Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES), and with homes near the school, are concerned about a proposed 120-foot cell tower very near the school. Great Falls and Vienna residents' children attend CRES. While cell towers are not usually approved for construction on elementary schools, the proximity of this proposed tower
to CRES makes many of us worry about the non-stop exposure to the radio frequency radiation emitted from these towers. We are also concerned about putting this tower in a residential community for the same reason--we do not want to increase the radiation exposure of our residents. Andrew Chapel church has requested an exemption to the residential zoning in order to construct this tower and collect revenues. Andrew Chapel is 0.2 miles from Colvin Run Elementary School.
While studies show that exposure does cause health problems, including increased cancer risk, and other studies show no proven link, we would ask why take this chance by constructing the tower so close to our elementary school and in our residential area?
Concerned readers can contact the office of Supervisor Foust to register their concern about approving this residential zoning exemption request at 703-356-0551. Connection readers can also attend the community meeting planned at Andrew Chapel church at 1301 Trap Rd., Vienna, on this Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
Steve Meyer
Vienna