Cell Phone Tower Update

On February 16, Calvert Crossland, LLC held a community pre-submission meeting to present plans to install a 199’ monopole cell tower adjacent to the existing water tower on W.R. Grace property. The project is being undertaken to improve Verizon Wireless coverage along MD 32 and in the River Hill community. Following construction, the existing carriers on the water tower, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T, are expected to relocate their equipment to the monopole. At the community meeting, residents raised concerns about health effects from electromagnetic fields, the height, and proximity of the tower to residences.

Following this meeting, residents in opposition to the cell tower installation voiced their concerns to the Association’s Board of Directors and Development Advisory Committee. They also began circulating a petition signed by other members of the community and contacting W.R. Grace, the County, and others to express their opposition. During the same timeframe and based on the concerns raised by the community, Calvert Crossland began investigating the feasibility of relocating the cell tower. Simultaneously, in late February and early March, the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) was reviewing Calvert Crossland’s plans for the monopole in the original location. These plans were approved on March 9 by DPZ as redline revisions to the Site Development Plan (SDP-84-255) subject to minor changes and the submittal of originals.

In response to community concerns, on March 20 the Association’s Board of Directors met with residents and representatives from Calvert Crossland, W.R. Grace, and Chesapeake Realty Partners (the Simpson Woods developer). At this meeting, Barba- ra Pivec, Partner, reported that Calvert Crossland, LLC is actively evaluating a site on the eastern side of the W.R. Grace complex that holds promise as an alternative location for the cell tower. Rich Badmington, VP Communications, and Nizam Usta, Global Director of Facilities, W.R. Grace, confirmed Grace’s willingness to explore options for locating the tower further away from existing and planned residences. They agreed that as soon as revisions to the original plan can be confirmed and prior to any decisions being made, they will meet again with the Village Board and residents. The Association appreciates the collaborative spirit of the parties involved and we’ll keep the community posted as things progress.