Locals form to fight wireless T-Mobile tower

She acknowledged that she can't use health concerns in her appeal argument because the City Council can't take those issues into consideration. Federal law prohibits state and local governments from regulating the placement, construction or modification of wireless facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions

Huber-Merlo said her neighbors are researching other arguments, such as possible noise pollution from two air-conditioning units that are part of the project.

Residents also said they are worried the facility will drive down property values and could harm students at two nearby schools — Bret Harte Elementary and Luther Burbank Middle School.

Burbank Unified Supt. Stan Carrizosa has been contacted by a school parent concerned about the situation, said district spokeswoman Kimberley Clark.

In an email response to the parent, Carrizosa said the school district has no jurisdiction over the placement of the facility at the church because it's not being installed on school property.

He also stressed that school officials are always concerned about the safety of students.

“Having said this, the placement of cell towers near schools is fairly common across the county and state,” he said. “The [Federal Communications Commission] and several other agencies and institutions have studied the impact of cell tower frequencies and found them to be safe.

“Additionally, there are reports that demonstrate that districts and neighborhoods where towers have been installed have had no negative impact.”

During the next few months, opponents plan to rally around their cause with yard signs, a letter-writing campaign and petition drive, T-shirts and banners.

At the neighborhood meeting, Huber-Merlo had this message for fellow opponents: “We can do this.”