The question of potential harmful effects on health from cell phones, both handsets and towers remains highly controversial. Now a group of neighbors in the Alki neighborhood are hoping to stop the installation of 12 new towers proposed by Verizon. The towers themselves would be cosmetically hidden, as smoke stacks, and would be situated atop the Beach Landing Apartments at 61st SW and SW Stevens.

The group has taken signatures, and gotten the project stopped temporarily thus far but they say the risk of potential harm is not worth the installation. The towers would be directly across the street from the Log House Museum and 600 feet from Alki Elementary School.

In the area already, within one block are eight visible towers on other apartment buildings but not from Verizon.

The group acknowledges that the studies showing damage are not conclusive but point to the idea that health effects are often not known until the cumulative effects are measured. They also suggest that the proximity to the school means it might be hard to measure until years later since children could be affected and might not manifest damage for some time.

Here's the information the group seeking to stop the towers sent to the Herald.

The city has approved 12 new Verizon cell phone towers to be built atop a residential building in an Alki neighborhood that is right next door to a historic property and just 600 feet from Alki elementary. Neighbors in Alki are so concerned that they are appealing the decision and have started a campaign to educate the public on why this first residential cell phone tower proposal is different than other cell phone towers in West Seattle, and why this temporary approval by the city must be revoked.

1) RIGHT NEXT TO RESIDENCES : This is the first cell tower in Alki right next to residences. The other cell towers are on top of a restaurant and not directly next to houses. They will be installing 12 cell towers right next to homes, townhouses, apartments instead of being in a commercial area on Alki Ave where it should be. What are the health concerns of living right next to 12 cell towers? Typically home values fall when cell towers are placed right next to homes. Will our home values fall in Alki?

2) 600 FEET FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL : they are placing 12 cell towers 0.1 miles from Alki Elementary school ... less than 600 feet from young children.

3) 12 CELL TOWERS IS UNPREDENTED IN ALKI: Right now there are smaller installations of 3-6 cell towers on top of restaurants/grocery stores
in West Seattle . To my knowledge there are no sites that have 12 cell towers which is a huge installation.

4) SEATTLE DPD IS MAKING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR VERIZON : Verizon is requesting a special privilege (variance) to exceed the 3 story height limit in alki (LR3) and install twelve 8 foot tall cell towers which would make the building almost 4 stories. Why are they getting this special privilege at our health expense?

5) NEXT TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS : 12 Cell towers will be installed across the street from the Log House museum and one block from Alki Homestead.

The Alki neighborhood is trying to fight Verizon money and stop these cell towers … here are campaign pages where residents are collecting signatures.

Facebook Page ………….. https://www.facebook.com/stopalkicelltowers

Online Petition ………. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-alki-cell-towers