Neighbors from the west end of Admiral Way came together and spent over seven hours at Seattle municipal court in a hearing last week that will determine whether Verizon Wireless has the right to add eight new cell phone antennas to the existing three on the Sound Crest Apartment building.

It was certainly an uphill battle for the neighbors who could not afford to hire an attorney and have the burden of proof.

"By the end of the day we were exhausted," said Jim Borrow, a member of the neighborhood who has helped lead his community against the cell towers. "Most of us are operating in somewhat unfamiliar territory. We're not educated in legal rules."

But Borrow feels that this hearing could set a precedent for future antenna sites.

"What's going to happen in the future if the line isn't drawn here?" he asked.

After Verizon Wireless was granted a conditional use permit on June 30 to add eight new antennas to their existing three on the apartments at 6609 S.W. Admiral Way, neighbors appealed.

They believe the new towers, which would be screened by a 11 foot tall box Verizon calls a "penthouse," would have a significant visual impact on their single family neighborhood. Sound Crest is a nonconforming apartment complex that was grandfathered into the single-family neighborhood. It is currently 28 feet tall.

"Shouldn't we really have been thinking of alternative sites since this is the bottom of the list of least desirable places (for cell antennas)?" said Ginger Brewer, a nearby resident.

Brewer and her neighbors were also frustrated to hear the city planner explain that because cell phone antennas already exist on the Sound Crest, the approval for additional antennas was almost automatic.

Verizon responded to the neighbors concerns regarding the character of their neighborhood by describing the area as a mix of residential, commercial and institutional. They explained that the new "penthouse" would be even less obtrusive than existing antennas on the apartment building, and that it would match the coloring of the building.

Verizon said that the new towers would improve cell coverage as far as Fauntleroy, Vashon and Bainbridge.

One concern that neighbors were not able to bring up was the discomfort many have over long-term exposure to the electromagnetic frequency that is emitted from cell antennas. These concerns are addressed by the Federal Communications Commission. Furthermore no studies have been able to prove that the low emissions of electromagnetic frequency by cell antennas are harmful.

Nonetheless Borrow, who is also a radiologist, says that the full affects have yet to be determined and neighbors are concerned.

"I am very concerned with the long-term health issue," Brewer said. "This is a lot of electromagnetic frequency going right to our houses."

Karen Clegg, a homeowner in the neighborhood, was also frustrated to find that city planner Joan Carson, who had been involved with the project for nearly two years, was sick the day of the hearing. She said she had hoped to question Carson about coverage study that she says was not made available until Oct. 15.

Until hearing examiner Ann Watanabe rules in the next week, all the neighbors can do it wait.

"I'm really proud of our neighborhood for coming together so well," said Brewer. "We told our story, we were heard and now our fate is resting on the examiner."

Rose Egge may be contacted at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com