Residents' concerns lead to abandonment of cell tower plan

Thanks to all of you who attended the Wednesday afternoon and the Monday evening meetings held to answer Verizon's call for public input concerning their “Master Cellular Plan for Fallbrook.”

Thanks also to the Village News for the front page story that shared our concerns regarding the plan as proposed.

I have been in contact with Melanie Wilson, Supervisor Horn's adviser for Land Use, who called Monday afternoon to inform me that both the County of San Diego and Verizon have decided to abandon their proposed Master Plan as it was presented.

It appears that the concerns we expressed have been heard and acted upon with this encouraging decision.

We made recommendations during both meetings in an effort to offer positive suggestions for change in a direction that would benefit Fallbrook residents.

We really do want to see a win-win result for Verizon, San Diego county and Fallbrook.

Whether these recommendations are acted upon is yet to be seen.

They included: 1) More reasonable notices to the residents who surround the proposed cell sites giving them time to review the plans and to give input long before a permit request goes to the county, 2) Co-location with existing cell facilities needs to be first priority (The site at the Community Baptist Church for instance is adjacent to the existing AT&T building that has visible cell antennas), 3) A true master plan for Fallbrook must include all competitors, 4) Cell providers should have a dedicated local contact.

Jim Bowles