Community Corner

Big Crowd Turns Out to Voice Concerns About Vienna Church's Cell Tower Proposal

Health concerns cited.

Nearly 100 people showed up at Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church in Vienna to voice concerns about the construction of a cellphone tower that would look like a bell tower.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission will take the next step in the approval process for the tower on May 22, when it's scheduled to hold a public hearing.

The proposed 120-foot tower would be built on church property to improve cellphone service near Va. 7 west of Tysons Corner.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More than 400 people have signed a petition on Change.org to stop the project, WTOP reports, and opponents were among those in the crowd that arrived at the church Wednesday.

"The objective tonight is for you to leave here with your questions answered," David Nordean, of the church, said at the meeting, according to WTOP. "I doubt we're going to change your minds, but you have the opportunity to voice your concerns," he said.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ingrid Mohn, who lives close to the church and is concerned about health and safety issues, said she wanted the tower built somewhere else.

"A lot of us believe that there's a health danger. The studies about the radio frequency emissions from cell towers are inconclusive," said Mohn, a cancer survivor.

Frank Almaguer and his wife decided before the meeting to support the tower, the station reported.

"I am quite confident. I don't have any reason to feel concerned," Almaguer said.


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