New 5G Cell Tower Proposed for Kihei (Maui)
Kihei Baptist Chapel, in collaboration with Verizon, has applied for a county special use permit for a 50-foot fake pine tree tower. In a residential area. On busy South Kihei Road. With a pre-school on their property.
This is a very bad idea.
Not to mention that Kihei is a desert and the fake pine tree will stick out like a sore thumb! But I digress...
We have reached out to the Pastor for over a month but gotten no response.
We have it from sources that the Pastor seems to put responsibility on Verizon and the County, however, he is the applicant and, as such, he can withdraw the application right now if he wanted to.
We have reached out to the Planning Commission that says we can only testify during the hearing, which has not been scheduled yet.
We have reached out to the Mayor, who is in charge of the Planning Commission, whose office says the County's hands are tied - but this is emphatically not true.
Time for the next step. That's where you come in!
Please contact the Pastor (scroll down) and the Mayor/Planning Commission.
Sample email to the Mayor
Subject line: You Have the Power to Regulate Cell Towers
Include the following, along with your own words:
The power and authority to regulate cell towers and antennas in Maui County lies with Maui County. Telecommunication lobbyists would try to convince you otherwise but that is incorrect.
When the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was being crafted, big telecom lobbied hard to restrict local authority, however, congress did not abide. They did the opposite.
Section 47 USC 332 C 7a clearly states that local governments have the power to regulate the placement of wireless facilities.
Here is the exact wording of 47 USC 332 C 7a:
(7)Preservation of local zoning authority
(A)General authority
"Except as provided in this paragraph, nothing in this chapter shall limit or affect the authority of a State or local government or instrumentality thereof over decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities."
It is of utmost importance that you do please exercise your power and responsibility to regulate these towers because, although the FCC sets the exposure limits, the FCC does nothing to actually apply or enforce those limits. The county is obligated to protect its citizens and ensure the quiet enjoyment of our streets and neighborhoods.
Mahalo,
(Your name)
