Welcome! We are parents/residents working together against Verizon's proposal to install a wireless tower with 6 antennas in the Cupertino High School football field.

We 
We are strongly against Verizon's plan for the following reasons:

1. NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS LOW-DOSE CELL TOWER RADIATION:

In May 2011 the World Health Organization cclassified the type of radiation that cell towers emit as a Class 2B carcinogen, meaning “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, putting it in the same category as lead and DDT.  

Once this tower were built, the exposures would be 6--10 hours a day at Cupertino High, Sedgwick Elementary, and other nearby schools/preschools, and up to 24 hours a day for residents. Moreover, Verizon could increase exposure levels with more antennas without informing anyone. 

A clear explanation of the health impacts can be found in the archives of the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center. 

The International Association of Firefighters has documented the many reasons for their opposition to installation of cell towers close to where people live. 

Other countries now limit public exposure to levels far lower than the standards currently set by our FCC. 

Unfortunately, the city legally cannot reject a cell tower permit as long as it meets FCC safety regulations, even though those regulations were enacted in 1996 and are based on limited info from 16 years ago!

2. HEIGHT OF THE TOWER INCURS PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

The height of the tower Verizon proposed exceeds the limits stated in the city regulation (Ordinance No. 09-2038 section 19.108.050 (A)), which was set based on professional calculations on safety, health and aesthetic concerns. This height will bring a great potential risk in natural disasters, such as earthquakes or strong winds.


3. TOWER FACILITIES PRESENTS EXPLOSIVE HAZARD

Along with the tower, Verizon will also mount a new 30KW diesel generator with a 132-gallon diesel fuel tank. This facility presents a variety of explosive and toxic hazards. 


4. NO GAP IN COVERAGE

Verizonʼs coverage map shows good coverage in the area surrounding the proposed cell tower. Sub-optimal site selection will end up costing more cell towers to be constructed in order to cover the poor-reception areas



5. INSUFFICIENT DISCLOSURE FOR A PROJECT WITH HUGE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY


Only residents within 500 ft were notified. Most parents at nearby schools were unaware of the project or the public hearing meetings. The 2nd public hearing should be held after residents within 1000 ft and parents at all nearby schools should have been informed. 

We do support responsible use of wireless technology and careful placement of cell towers that uses the best safety information available, protects property values, and meets environmental requirements. This proposal does not.


6. NEGATIVE EFFECT ON AESTHETICS OF HOMES AND CHARACTER OF NEIGHBORHOOD


The six cell phone antennas will be highly visible from every angle of the school campus and the residential properties. Imaging how daunting and scary it would be if six monstrous antennas are perched above the heads of Cupertino High School students and audiences who come for public events and sports games. Cupertino High School hosts many events across school districts and even statewide. Undeniably maintaining the beauty of our high school and keeping it as a healthy and safe campus are the responsibility of everybody in the city, including the school district, students and parents. 

7. DEVALUATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES IN THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD:

Property values in the Cupertino High neighborhood area will undoubtedly decrease, because the local schools are a major consideration in the real estate valuation of homes. Parents are being cautioned to limit exposure of young childrenʼs brains to cell phone transmissions. So parents will prefer to err on the side of caution with the health of their children, and choose homes and schools that are NOT located right next door to a cell tower.