Tina Reed, who lives in Montrose County, is making sure people in Redvale are aware of the possibility that a cell tower could be established on the corner of II Road and Highway 145, what is commonly known as “KOA corner.”
Reed said she and other residents had been approached by “Verizon” in the last year, but most residents who received the letters weren’t interested in leasing their land to the cell phone company. Now though, one resident appears to be willing to let Atlas Tower use his land. In this way, the lessor would also receive some monthly income.
Reed, however, said it’s not worth it and it would be a detriment to the Redvale community. According to her, there’s scientific research that shows cell towers emit harmful energy to humans, wildlife and the landscape. She told the Forum that everyone who lives in Redvale should research electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) to understand the health risks, like headaches, brain tumors, leukemia and more. She said children especially, whose brains are not fully developed, shouldn’t be living next to a cell tower, and neither should anyone immunocompromised or the elderly.
“Radiation hurts everybody,” she said.
Additionally, Reed said cell towers negatively affect market values of properties, and there are some landowners in Redvale with listings. Reed has been in Redvale for five years. She married into the Reeds, which have been in the region for quite some time. She said she didn’t come to Redvale to retire next to a cell tower, have it block her beautiful views, devalue her investment, or give her health issues. She added that the area might need better cell service, but the tower could be placed somewhere better: at Mailbox or the school section across the road.
The Forum did contact the property owner, Don Hubbs, who plans to lease to Atlas Tower. He said he knows the neighbors are complaining, but said he does plan to lease to Atlas. He declined to reveal how much the cell tower company would pay him monthly and said it was nobody’s business. He said he has no health concerns, and if he did, he wouldn’t be agreeing to the tower. He said he’s spoken to Atlas about possible health concerns, and the cell tower company has said there are none.
Talmadge Richmond, Montrose County Planning and Development Director, confirmed the Nov. 21 meeting at 6 p.m. regarding the cell tower.
“The application is being presented at a public hearing to the Planning Commission this Thursday. Please note that there will be a satellite location to attend the hearing at the Nucla Community Center,” he said Monday morning.
Reed and her family worked to make participation equitable. They felt many people would likely be working and unable to drive to the meeting in Montrose. It’s because of Brian Reed’s communication with Montrose County that the meeting will have the Zoom option based in Nucla. In this way, anyone with concerns may voice those to Montrose County.
Reed is having signs made and selling them, so the opposition can express their feelings visually. She’s also distributing informational materials on the harmful effects of radiation via cell towers.
The Forum asked Richmond if the permitting process for a cell tower was a two-step process. He said he agreed it was.
“The Planning Commission is advisory, so they will send a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC),” he said. “The BOCC will then hold a public hearing, similar to the Planning Commission. The BOCC will have the final say on if it is approved or denied. If approved, the developer can begin construction immediately after approval.”
