A recent decision by the Navajo County (AZ) Board of Supervisors ruled against placement of a 120-foot SBA tower near a community designed for residents with sensitivity to chemicals and electronic emissions. The denial of the White Antelope Wireless Communication Facility proposal, according to the White Mountain Independent, reflects the board’s effort to protect the health and well-being of the Environmentally Ill Community near Snowflake, AZ.
Steve Kennedy, an RF engineer with SBA Communications (NASDAQ: SBAC), presented technical findings during the public hearing, highlighting the challenges of cellular coverage east of Snowflake. Drawing from drive test reports, Kennedy explained that service quality in the area “falls off pretty fast,” with active call testing on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) networks showing poor performance. He emphasized that existing cell sites are insufficient to meet the area’s coverage needs, identifying a significant service gap extending at least two miles around the proposed site for the White Antelope Wireless Communication Facility.
This community, established over 30 years ago, is specifically designed for individuals with “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Electrical Sensitivity.” These conditions, reportedly make everyday urban environments intolerable for those affected, often triggering severe health reactions to chemical exposures and electromagnetic frequencies. The rural location, combined with specially designed homes, provides a rare sanctuary where residents can live without constant exposure to these triggers.
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