ATTORNEY AND WIRELESS EXPERT TO SPEAK IN LA MESA TODAY; LOCAL RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER NEW COUNTY RULES ON 5G INSTALLATIONS NEAR HOMES

East County News Service

June 2, 2019 (La Mesa) -- A free talk on “5G & Wireless: Keeping Safer in a Wireless World” by a wireless expert and attorney Dafna Tachover, is being held at 4700 Spring St., La Mesa, Suite 201, on Sunday 6/2/19 at 3 p.m.  Tachover previously worked in the Israeli Defense Forces as a telecommunication and computers officer. She is the founder the advocacy group “We are the Evidence” for rights of people impacted by wireless technology radiation and led a Supreme Court case in Israel that led to the strictest limitations in the world on Wi-Fi in schools.

Susan Brinchman with the Center for Electrosmog in La Mesa has been working for three months in an effort to consult with the County on a revision of its recent wireless ordinance approved Feb. 27 for unincorporated areas which she says “fell short in the area of protecting property owners and residents.  The County is now seeking public comments. View the latest draft ordinance: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/advance/smallcellwirelessfacilities.html

Supervisor Dianne Jacob asked County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten for a response to Brinchman’s concerns. Wooten concluded in her response, "Based on the [note: industry science] above explanations, at this time, no additional action regulating electrosmog in public places is warranted."

Dr. Wooten notes that while the World Health Organization has classified wireless radiation as a possible carcinogen, the evidence is largely on high-level exposure. Wooten adds, “The current debate is centered on whether long-term low level exposure can cause biological responses and influence health effects,” adding that increasing distance from cell phones has been the primary recommendation to date for lower level exposure.

Brinchman fires back, “The County is not a representative of industry but of people who live here and elected the Board of Supervisors. The County of San Diego seems to forget that. Making mistakes or neglecting their duties to the people of San Diego County can mean loss of health, life, and property, and they must never forget who they represent and what they are charged with, no matter what. Ignoring health and safety simply isn't legal. A recent court case confirmed this between the city of San Francisco and T-Mobile.”

She claims the County has been negligent in oversight of telecom company installations as well.  In the Crest area of unincorporated El Cajon, she contends, four new “Small cell” 4G towers that could ultimately be used for 5G were installed on SDG&E poles leased by telecom companies. But according  to Brinchman, one was placed in the wrong place on a road and another was set up to send a signal through a home at eye level with a 4-year-old child’s bedroom, on a private street without owner’s permission. “The neighborhood is in an uproar as there are many children and mothers now exposed to close-range microwave radiation,” says Brinchman, who believes permits should be pulled for all small cell projects.

“It will be hard to ‘Live Well’ in San Diego if one is fried by microwave radiation at close range and has their property values plummet as a result of "small cells" or cell towers being placed near homes,” Brinchman, who says her health has suffered due to electrosmog pollution(invisible radiation from wireless commnunications), concludes.

Brinchman provided this link for those with medical issues to file a request for accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act with regard to exposure to Wifi and small cell communications devices:

How to File an ADA Accommodations Request for Electrosensitivity to Avoid Small Cells and Wifi

See additional information on the county plans and how to submit comments below:

On February 27, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed staff to return to the Board in 180 days with additional requirements for small cell wireless facilities for reducing cluttering, avoidance of sensitive sites, co-location, distance between poles, placement of utility boxes, residential preferred locations, undergrounding of equipment, and additional public noticing. This project proposes changes to the Zoning Ordinance to address the Board direction and to comply with the September 2018 FCC Order.

The draft Zoning Ordinance Update for Small Cell Wireless Facilities is available for public review from May 31, 2019 – June 30, 2019.

The draft ordinance and supporting documents are available for download at the project website: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/advance/smallcellwirelessfacilities.html

Supporting documents include the following:

• Additional Options for the Board to consider related to Small Cell Wireless Facilities
• Draft Small Cell Wireless Facility Questionnaire (to be completed by applicant)
• Draft Application for Small Cell Wireless Facility Permits (to be completed by applicant)
• Visuals illustrating staff recommendations for configuration preferences (Section 6992.A.8)

Please provide comments on the draft Zoning Ordinance Update for Small Cell Wireless Facilities by June 30, 2019. 

The proposed schedule leading to Board consideration is outlined below:

Staff will continue to provide project updates as they become available, through the stakeholder email list and through the project web page at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/advance/smallcellwirelessfacilities.html

For any questions, please contact Tara Lieberman | PDS.AdvancePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov (project email address) | (858) 495-5466 (project phone line)