Fast five requests: (send to City Clerk Jason Lindgren jlindgren@elkgrovecity.org for the City Council)

1. Build a city wide fiber optic network or partner with the companies to build one
2. Keep cell antennas away from our Elk Grove homes! (out of residential neighborhoods)
3. Keep cell antennas away from libraries, schools and parks.
4. Create a City web page about 5G to facilitate the flow of information both ways: from the City to residents and from residents to the City. Mention the studies on health effects!!
5. Limit the output of cell antennas to no more than 150 microwatts per square meter.

Basic requests

Here are the basic requests of Keep Cell Antennas Away From Our Elk Grove Homes for our City to put in place (hello, City Council and staff!) regarding 5G cell antenna zoning and permitting. We have been talking and writing about these for months and first presented them as a set at the March 27, 2019 Council meeting. There are 9 requests for now. We may add more later.

1  Build a city wide fiber optic network or partner with the companies to build one

Much more energy efficient, zero health hazards, and better at handling lots of data. They use fiber optics to bring data to their poles.

2 Keep cell antennas out of residential neighborhoods. 

3,000′ minimum distance between cell antennas of a given carrier
1,500′ minimum distance between a cell antenna and the nearest home
(Consistent with the 2,000’ + range per Verizon CEO McAdam.)

3 Keep cell antennas away from schools, libraries, and parks

1,500′ minimum distance between a cell antenna and schools, etc.
(The 1st point may accomplish the 2nd.)

4 Maximize local control, including but not limited to:

Require applications to demonstrate that a given proposed cell antenna will:
Close a significant gap in coverage
Using the least intrusive means
(MetroPCS, Inc. v. City & County of San Francisco (9th Cir. 2005) 400 F.3d 715.)

5 Regulate the operation and output of cell antennas

to no more than 150 microwatts per square meter at any time.
Enforced by sensors with automatic shut off. Fines for exceeding.

6 Place underground all equipment that can be placed underground.

7 Build a thorough City web page on 5G that mentions the health effects and scientific studies to facilitate the flow of information both ways:

from the City to residents; and
from residents to the City

8 Require applicants to pay the City to hire a legitimate expert

to review applications, proposals, etc. and advise on technological and policy options

9 Require warning signs at eye level on every pole that has a cell antenna

Saying the cell antenna on this pole produces electromagnetic radiation (EMR), and that the California Department of Public Health has issued recommendations for reducing one’s exposure to EMR.