La Crescenta residents voice concerns about proposed cell tower

Dozens of concerned residents gathered at the La Crescenta Library Thursday night regarding a proposed cell phone tower several said would be an eyesore and reduce property values.

AT&T; officials want to place a 70-foot tower in the 5000 block of Cloud Avenue on land owned by the Crescenta Valley Water District, saying the structure is necessary to ward off dropped calls and disconnects.

Jerry Ambrose, land use consultant with AT&T;, told the audience the tower would be disguised as a eucalyptus tree, and will include 12 eight-foot antennas, 24 AT&T; remote radio units, and several other pieces of equipment on the property, including a steel platform with a wood fence.

Michael Claessens, a member of the water district’s land use committee, questioned why that particular site was chosen.

“It doesn’t sound like you put much thought into this,” he said.

Scott Toro, whose family has lived on nearby Henrietta Avenue for three years, said he is not concerned about dropped calls.

“It will be an eyesore,” he said following the meeting. “I don’t want a cell tower in my backyard.”

Brookhill Street residents Scott and Marilyn Tyler, who’ve lived in the community for 15 years, said following the meeting that their biggest concern is a possible adverse effect on property values near the cell tower site.

“We’ll be 40 feet from the site,” said Scott Tyler.

Cheryl Davis, the chairwoman of the committee, said residents will have several additional opportunities to voice their opinions about the site. These include: the CVWD meeting on Feb. 18, the Land Use Committee meeting on March 13, and the Crescenta Valley Town Council meeting on March 20.