KDRV Staff
 
July 29, 2010
 
ASHLAND, Ore. - A local business owner is appealing an Ashland Planning Commission decision to allow construction of 12 AT&T cell phone antennas on top the Ashland Street Cinemas.
 
Roderick Newton, owner of Hidden Springs Wellness Center, filed the appeal Wednesday through his attorney.
 
The commission voted 5-1 in June to approved AT&T's request for antenna construction. Several commissioners stressed they felt the city lacked the legal authority to deny the request.
 
Many residents have been upset about the plan since early May. Nearby businesses expressed strong concern about potential health hazards they say could come with the radiation emissions from the antennas. However, those emissions are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, and the planning commission was legally not allowed to consider radiation when making their decision.
 
The AT&T antennas are designed to improve spotty cell phone coverage in Ashland. At a commission meeting in May, AT&T representatives said that the location of the antennas was crucial for better coverage. They also said the antennas would comply with all safety regulations.
 
The appeal could resume debate about the antennas at the next commission meeting scheduled for August 17th.