Connolly•Krier <br />PO Box 5543 • 4185 Fox Hollow Road. • E«gene, OR 97405 <br />April 30, 2015 <br />TO: Eugene Planning Commission <br />125 E. 8th Avenue <br />Eugene, OR 97401 <br />RE: AT&T Cell Tower Application at Crossfire Church, 4060 West Amazon Drive, Eugene <br />We live directly across from Crossfire Church, and our property is within 150 feet of the proposed tower site. <br />We strongly object to a cell tower placement that is effectively in our front yard. During the time we have <br />occupied our home, we have seen numerous church organizations occupy what is now the Crossfire property. <br />It is especially painful that the Crossfire principals living outside of the neighborhood may be in a position to <br />install a commercial facility to benefit them and their tax-exempt organization to the detriment of us and <br />other long term neighbors who strenuously oppose the installation. We would be forced to live with this <br />inappropriate structure for decades to come, regardless of the longevity of Crossfire in the neighborhood. <br />The proposed tower abuts the Amazon Creek corridor, designated by the City of Eugene as a Natural Area <br />that supports "a wide diversity of plants and wildlife, including many endangered and rare species." <br />Radiofrequency radiation has demonstrable negative impacts on wildlife, particularly birds and bees. 's. 1,1 <br />This is concerning not only because of the significant investment the City and many other partners have <br />made in the preservation and enhancement of this natural corridor, but because we are also beekeepers with <br />hives in our yard near the Crossfire property. <br />Research shows that proximity to a cell tower influences the salability of a residential property.'' During an <br />initial informational meeting on the proposed tower, held at Crossfire Church on January 30, 2014, a local <br />real estate professional testified that this is especially a reality in this community. The primary factors <br />affecting value are the negative visual presence of an industrial facility in a residential neighborhood, and the <br />widespread perception that cell towers are detrimental to good health. <br />Studies show that residential property values decrease by an average of 2% for homes within 200 meters <br />(about 650 ft., slightly more than a tenth of a mile) of a cell tower site.''' This is a substantial impact to our <br />property value, but there are also about 50 other residential properties within this radius from the proposed <br />tower site. Assuming an average home valuation of $250,000, the presence of the proposed tower represents <br />a potential value loss to my neighborhood of about a quarter million dollars. This clearly violates both <br />section EA of the Eugene Metro Plan ("Structures should support and enhance the best qualities and unique <br />character of the neighborhood and surrounding area"), Eugene City Code 9.8090 (structures should be <br />compatible with the area with no off-site impacts), and the Envision Eugene plan that pledges to "protect, <br />repair, and enhance neighborhood livability." <br />We have worked hard and invested dearly, over nearly three decades, to improve the value and livability of <br />our home. It would be heartbreaking to us to have this diminished by an inappropriate industrial facility <br />installed against the overwhelming opposition of neighbors for purposes that do not contribute to the quality <br />and livability of our homes. <br />Sincerely, <br />Tom Connolly & Patty Krier <br />4185 Fox Hollow Rd <br />PO Box 5843 <br />Eugene, OR 97405-0843 <br />