Big Turnout in Opposition to ZTA 19-07 Public Hearing – November 19, 2019

Public Hearing: Telecommunications Towers –Limited & Conditional Use The Council conducted a hearing in 2019 where two dozen County residents testified to register STRONG disapproval of the ZTA.  Of the scant number who spoke in favor of the ZTA, most of them had ties to the wireless industry (lobbyists and outside lawyers). Entire Public Hearing Video: Speaker highlights from the public hearing: (The below YouTube videos will open at a bookmark to the listed speaker.) […]

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Public Hearing on Front-Yard Cell Tower Placement (November 2019)

Archived Community Advocacy (November 2019) This post was originally published in advance of a November 2019 public hearing concerning proposed changes to cell tower siting rules in Montgomery County. It reflects concerns raised by residents regarding front-yard placement and setback standards at that time. The content is preserved here as part of the legislative history of ZTA-related proceedings. Let’s Pack the County Council Hearing to Oppose Cell Towers as Close as 30 Feet from Our […]

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WUSA9 Report: Verizon permit delayed over ‘alarming’ radio frequency predictions in Takoma Park

Verizon permit delayed over ‘alarming’ radio frequency predictions in Takoma Park ‘Worst-case predictive modeling’ concludes exposure could be 25-times higher than the FCC limit. Author: Scott Broom | WUSA9 Published: 10:59 PM EST November 7, 2019 Updated: 10:59 PM EST November 7, 2019 Related Links: Community Vision Takes Stand on Cell Tower Safety at Local Building ACTION ALERT: The Montgomery County Council will be holding a Public Hearing on Bill ZTA 19-07 on Tuesday, November 19th […]

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URGENT: We need your help, again – to STOP ZTA 19-07

Montgomery County Coalition to Control Cell Towers-MC4T Dear neighbors, Councilmember Reimer is back with yet another industry tilted Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07 – written by and for the exclusive benefit of Big Wireless. ZTA 19-07 does NOT protect residents. It is another retread in a series of bad bills that reduces cell pole setbacks in residential zones and further erodes the already insufficient procedural protections for residents.   Bottom line:  ZTA 19-07 will make it faster, easier […]

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Public Hearing on ZTA 19-07 (November 2019)

Archived Public Hearing Notice (2019) This notice was originally published in advance of the Montgomery County Council’s November 2019 public hearing on ZTA 19-07. It is preserved as part of the historical record documenting community engagement during that legislative process. The Montgomery County Council will be holding a Public Hearing on Bill ZTA 19-07 on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:30pm at the Montgomery County Council Building.  If this Bill passes, it will allow the deployment […]

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Letter to Montgomery County Council: 5G and its small cell towers threaten public health

Archived Public Testimony (2019) This letter was submitted to the Montgomery County Council in October 2019 by Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D.. It reflects concerns raised during early small cell deployment discussions regarding potential public health implications. This document is preserved as part of the public record and historical documentation of community engagement at that time. For broader regulatory and governance context, see: October 2, 2019 To:  The County Council of Montgomery County, Maryland From:  Ronald […]

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Action Alert: Montgomery County is about to vote on 5G cell towers in our front yards!

Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Small Cells in Montgomery County Action Alert Montgomery County is about to vote on 5G cell towers in our front yards! The latest effort by Councilman Hans Riemer is a new zoning law that will allow cell towers 30 feet from homes. Here is what you can do now. 1. Talk to your neighbors about 5G. Here are some resources to learn more News Articles “Mobile phones and health: is 5G […]

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Please Attend: 1st Cell Tower Application Hearing, Mon Sept 30, 7:30!!

Community Meeting Monday, Sept. 30, on First Application for Small Cell Tower in City Right-of-Way: For Utility Pole at 902 Merrimac Drive (south of intersection of  Carroll Avenue and University Boulevard) Come Learn & Share Your Concerns with City Staff and Crown Castle Representative. This is the first of 11 small cell towers Crown Castle plans for Takoma Park in the next two years! (See list below.) Time:   Monday, Sept. 30th, at 7:30 p.m. Place:   Takoma […]

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HB 654/HB 1020 UPDATE – INDUSTRY WIRELESS BILLS TABLED FOR “INTERIM STUDY”

– HB 654 /HB 1020 UPDATES – INDUSTRY WIRELESS BILLS TABLED FOR “INTERIM STUDY” THANK YOU FOR YOUR RAPID RESPONSE PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO STATE DELEGATES!!! The Maryland House Economic Affairs Committee voted on March 11, 2019 to refer HB 654 for “interim study.” Bills referred for interim study will receive no further action before the next session – meaning that HB 654 is effectively dead – at least for now. MC4T had strongly opposed this Bill and testified […]

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Cell Wireless Facility Application Spotlight: Utility Poles on Merrimac Drive Improperly Expanded BEFORE Tower Committee Decision on Proposed Wireless Facility – Takoma Park Should Deny Permit for Attachment

Archived News and Action alert (2019) This post is preserved as part of the public record and historical documentation of community engagement at that time. For broader regulatory and governance context, see: Prepared by Rick Meyer (mc4t.org) March 8, 2019 Takoma Park should reject application for permit to install wireless facility that may be requested by PEPCO on behalf of Crown Castle for attachment to utility pole located in front of 902 Merrimac Drive. The […]

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