West Menlo Park neighbors dislike local antenna project West Menlo Park neighbors dislike local antenna project (January 14, 2004)

A cell phone antenna project proposed for a commercial building in West Menlo Park is encountering opposition from nearby residents.

The Verizon Wireless antenna array would be placed atop the Robinson & Co. Realtors building at 3603 Alameda de las Pulgas, on the corner of Avy Avenue. A 243-square-foot equipment cabinet serving the antennas would be installed along the rear property line.

Lucky Avenue residents Jarmo and Mary Ellen Ylisikkila, whose property abuts Robinson Realty's, said they and other neighbors are concerned about the antenna project's visual impacts and noise from the equipment cabinet. The antennas would block sunlight, they said, and possible health risks from the electromagnetic fields could decrease property values.

The project requires a conditional use permit from San Mateo County in order to go forward. A public meeting before the county's zoning hearing officer is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at 10 a.m. For information, call county planner Olivia Boo at 363-1852.

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