Opposition against a cell phone tower in Summerfield Park appears to be building.
A new group called Lakewood Ranch Citizens For Responsible Development, created out of opposition to the proposed 160-foot tower by Vertex Development LLC in Summerfield Park, plans to pack Town Hall for an upcoming meeting.
The group has collected hundreds of signatures from residents in Summerfield opposing the proposed tower, said Summerfield Pines' resident Phyllis Morales, the group's director.
The tower will be discussed during District 1's workshop on Tuesday at Town Hall, District 1 supervisor Gary Berns said.
"We plan to pack the room," Morales said.
Representatives from Vertex Development LLC, the company proposing the tower, are expected at the meeting, Berns said.
"We posed several questions to them at the last meeting and we need answers," Berns said.
Those questions include, "Can the tower be shorter and can the tower be located in Heron's Nest?"
Supervisors may poll themselves Tuesday, but if there's an official vote, it will come during the District 1 meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Town Hall, Berns said.
Vertex Development LLC sent a proposal to District 1 supervisors nearly three months ago to locate a tower in a grove near the welcome center in Summerfield Park.
Pamela Benson was at the park Thursday with her son, Garrett, 4. She is nervous about the tower.
"I am not that thrilled, but mostly I feel I don't know enough about the health risks," Benson said. "I think it's just not worth the risk."
Benson, who lives in the Lake Club, said her cell phone carrier is Sprint and she has no reception difficulties.
Marcy Olah, who lives in Greenbrook East, was playing in the park with her 18-month-old daughter, Ashley.
"I understand it will bring money to Lakewood Ranch, but from a mom's perspective, I come here three times a week and I just don't know if I would want my daughter exposed to it," Olah said.
Vertex is offering District 1 about $15,000 yearly or a lump sum payment of $225,000 for a 30-year lease.
Morales, herself, would not be opposed to the tower being erected in Heron's Nest, where it could be more than 1,000-feet from the nearest home.
"That's my view but I can't speak for our group on that issue," Morales said.
Summerfield Park user Ray Hunt of Myakka City says he can't understand the opposition.
"It's free money," Hunt said. "They can put the tower in my front yard."
Hunt lives in the 38000 block of State Road 64 and says he has to drive seven miles out to get cell phone reception.
"We don't even have half a bar," he said.
Olah, who also uses Sprint, said she gets no cell reception in her Greenbrook Terrace home, but thought that could be because of steel and concrete. Reception outside is fine, she added.
Benson said she has no cell reception problems.
Phyllis Morales said she can be reached at 758-1298 by those interested in information about the opposition group.
If you go:
What: Summerfield cell phone tower meeting
When: 3:45 p.m., Tuesday
Where: Salon A at Town Hall
Attendance: Open to the public
Information: 758-1298
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