Disassembled cell phone tower sets neighborhood on edge

http://www.kob.com

Posted at: 03/28/2011 9:43 PM | Updated at: 03/28/2011 10:36 PM
By: Eddie Garcia, KOB Eyewitness News 4; Taryn Bianchin, KOB.com

A Rio Rancho neighborhood is up in arms about cell phone tower components showing up near their property even though a tower has not been approved for that area.

The problem started six months ago when Art Christensen woke up to several workers in hard hats surveying the empty property behind his house on Tampico Road.

“I knew there was something going on and I went out and investigated and found out there was a plan to build a cell tower within 20 yards of my home,” said Christensen, who’s afraid the radio frequencies will hurt his son who has been recovering from a severe brain injury for seven years.

Christensen said the fears returned four days ago after a truck deposited steel structures at the back of the lot. KOB Eyewitness News 4 tracked down the company who left the structures, Rio Rancho-based Flagship Group. The company wouldn’t comment but said they’re working with AT&T.

Officials at AT&T said that the tower isn’t going up on the lot and that the materials are being stored there for another project somewhere else, but did say the site is a potential location.

“If the cell phone tower company can prove to us that it is the best location for their tower, then our ordinance says they actually can construct,” said city councilor Kathey Colley.

Christensen says he will not allow it saying “Before that happens, we’ll go to the courts if we have to.”

The City of Rio Rancho says the site is a long way from being approved.