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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Letters Rec'd Nov 16 and 17Outlook Say NO to the large cell tower in the Fall Creek conser vation area From T Myers <myerst55@yahoo.com> Date Sun 11/16/2025 5:37 PM To Codes <codes@townithacany.gov>; Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Dear Zoning Board members, After the Zoning Board denied the large cell tower in the Fall Creek conservation area, Verizon has sued the Town of Ithaca to try to get their tower built anyhow.  Please DO NOT agree to the terms of Verizon's complaint/suit.  Uphold your decision and our town co des and do n ot give into Verizon's threats.  - If Verizon wants to push this to a trial, then so be it - This tower is not the least intrusive means to remedy the coverage gap. Verizon has not offered a less intrusive means of filling any gap (e.g. small cell antennas), as they are required to. - The FCC wireless coverage maps show full Verizon coverage in the area In this critical time in our history, we must make our stand against these corporate bullies who want their way in our Town...on the land that we are custodians of. Please tell Verizon we won't be bullied. NO MEANS NO!! Best regards, ~Sherri Bennette~ 7 Creek Rd Ithaca, New York 14850 Outlook Verizon Wins? Really? From Jeff Zorn <jrz3@cornell.edu> Date Mon 11/17/2025 7:41 AM To Codes <codes@townithacany.gov>; Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Cc ithacasafetech@gmail.com <ithacasafetech@gmail.com> **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Greetings, I really shouldn’t have to be writing yet another email to my local representatives about thwarting Verizon’s efforts to ram their big 5G tower down our throats. There have been hearings, votes, etc. I’ve warned about the armies of lawyers Big Tech would throw at us. And here it is. The Town of Ithaca is going to cave into the demands of Verizon’s hired legal guns instead of supporting and fighting for the will and voices (and health concerns) of its people. This is just shameful beyond measure. It looks like local concerns are going to be TRUMPed by outside big money. I guess this is what our community has come to, a preference to give into bullies, rather than to stand up to them. Please show you care about your constituents and fight Verizon’s 5G tower. Sincerely, Jeff Zorn 202 Pine Tree Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 C: 607-339-7328 E: jrz3@cornell.edu Outlook Verizon Tower From Marilee Murphy <marileemurphy@gmail.com> Date Mon 11/17/2025 9:35 AM To Codes <codes@townithacany.gov>; Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Zoning Board Members, I am writing regarding the latest developments in the proposed Verizon Cell Tower project which was previously DENIED by the Zoning Board for the height variance requested and well within the Town of Ithaca's legal purview to do so. It is extremely disappointing that Verizon continues to harass and bully our town to achieve their own goals and in defiance of what the local community wants for OUR community. So many of us spoke up against this intrusive tower marring a beautiful landscape in a conservation zone.  Having it sit so close to residences does not make sense. So many of us also spoke to the fact that we live and travel these roads and throughout this area and HAVE cell service.  I encourage you to hold strong and to not succumb to Verizon and to represent what our community wants. If the battle against this continues to require funds, please let the community know so that we can rally to support our Town to stand strong and to meet this challenge in every way, including financially. I love living in the Town and appreciate the natural beauty around me every day. Having this tower qualitatively impacts our daily life. I felt so proud of the community and board for standing up for our values when the application was denied and I hope the zoning board can continue to stand strong. Thank you for your consideration and for standing for our community's rights. Marilee Murphy 106 Landmark Dr Ithaca, NY TOWN of ITHACA Outlook Verizon interference with our Democracy From Ravindra <ravi@raviwalsh.com> Date Mon 11/17/2025 9:43 AM To Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> Cc Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov>; Codes <codes@townithacany.gov> **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Greetings Board members, I am writing to you today to encourage you to stand firm and uphold the decision of our community NOT to sign any agreement with Verizon regarding their desire for a tower. Verizon is a corporate business. It is NOT part of our community. It does not represent the best interests of all, only its stockholders. Please see through their corporate games of threats and lies. If you reverse your decision, please remember that you are doing so ONLY bc of evidence- based research that this tower is “absolutely” the least intrusive means to remedy the coverage gap. As I understand it, Verizon has not offered a less intrusive means of filling any gap (like small cell antennas) as they are required to by law. The Zoning Board’s decision to deny a height variance is well within its legal purview. Verizon claims a significant coverage gap, and yet, as was discussed at the February Zoning Board meeting, the FCC wireless coverage maps show full Verizon coverage in the area (and these maps are the ultimate authority on this subject). The FCC maps should be considered more authoritative than coverage maps made in-house by the party with a vested financial interest. Please help us keep Ithaca as beautiful and safe as possible. It is our responsibility to regulate the corporations in OUR City. Thank you, Ravindra Walsh HeartPath Institute South Hill Business Campus Suite 240 607-220-6088 www.heartpathme.com Outlook NO Verizon Monopole Tower on Conser vation Land From Caroline Ashurst <hello@carolineashurst.com> Date Mon 11/17/2025 2:50 PM To Codes <codes@townithacany.gov> Cc Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov> **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Zong Board Members, First I would like to thank you one million times for supporting the correct action when faced with the decision to approve or deny the zoning appeal by Verizon a few months ago. THANK YOU AGAIN. Through your thorough inquiry, you proved that there was indeed NO indication that there was a lack of cellular phone coverage in the area Verizon claimed there was. I've been to almost every meeting, hearing every part of this process for myself. We KNOW THE TRUTH. The maps are the truth. And we must abide by it. And...I cannot believe we are here, having this conversation -again-. I live right where this tower is set to go up. Now, we are faced with the new challenge of our Planning Board and Town Board capitulating to Verizon's baseless filing attempting to use the law as a blanket over the FACT THAT THERE IS NO LACK OF COVERAGE PROVEN IN OUR AREA that necessitates the erection of this tower. Not only did they capitulate, but just like the republicans passing laws in the dark of night, they kept the public COMPLETELY UNAWARE of the unfolding events since this decision. Wow, how can we even trust our Town of Ithaca Board? Unbelievable. They bulldozed right over the facts to try to fall back on the "telecommunications act" as their lever to control the fate of OUR TOWN. We are asking that you CONTINUE TO HOLD THE LINE. In order to reverse your decision, you have to have strong evidence that this tower is actually the least intrusive means to remedy the "coverage gap". The zoning board has a commitment to uphold their findings even where there is pressure of a lawsuit. As ZB members, you have that right. Your decision to deny a height variance is absolutely within your legal power to do so. Unfortunately, our town PB and TB lack the spine and transparency needed to properly protect the people of our community- which is infuriating. We are appealing to YOU because you have proven that you have the intellect and ethical standards to uphold, protect, and steward the sacred land that Verizon is hellbent on dessecrating. And it won't stop there.... This will be the beginning of the end of our protection if you capitulate as well. We are relying on you. Thank you so much. With Gratitude, Caroline Grace Ashurst, L.Ac., M.Ac. Nursing Student '27 106 Wiedmaier Ct. www.carolineashurst.com @restorativeharmony -- The Fertility Formula Functional Fertility Coaching + Restorative Harmony Acupuncture 2022|2020|2019 Philadelphia Family LOVE Award Best Acupuncture in Philadelphia! *******©2024 Restorative Harmony Acupuncture, LLC. All rights reserved. This document is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.restorativeharmony.com/legal-disclaimers Outlook Urgent Request to Uphold the Zoning Board’s Denial of the Proposed Verizon Cell Tower in the Fall Creek Conser vation From Nathan Walz <walzstreet@gmail.com> Date Mon 11/17/2025 9:14 PM To Codes <codes@townithacany.gov>; Marty Moseley <MMoseley@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Zoning Board members, I am writing as a concerned resident to strongly urge the Zoning Board to stand firm in its previous denial of Verizon’s application for a height variance and special permit to construct a 120-foot monopole cell tower in the environmentally sensitive Fall Creek Conservation Area. Specifically, I ask that the Board refuse to sign any settlement agreement that would reverse its well-reasoned denial and allow this tower to proceed. If Verizon believes its legal position is so strong, let them prove it in court. The facts, the law, and the public interest are clearly on the side of protecting this irreplaceable conservation land. Settling now under the threat of litigation would be an unnecessary capitulation. As you know, under the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, a local board may only reverse a denial and approve a facility if there is substantial evidence in the written record that the proposed tower represents the least intrusive means of remedying a significant gap in service. Verizon has never met this high statutory burden, and it certainly has not done so in the current negotiations. Key points the Board must keep in mind: 1. No evidence of a “significant gap” that meets the legal test At the February 2025 Zoning Board hearing, members correctly noted that the FCC’s official National Broadband Map and Mobile Coverage Explorer show full in-building and in-vehicle Verizon LTE and 5G coverage throughout the purported “gap” area. These FCC maps are the authoritative federal dataset on wireless coverage and carry far greater weight than self-serving propagation studies produced by the applicant. Verizon has offered no credible, independent evidence to rebut the FCC’s own data. 2. No demonstration of “least intrusive means” Verizon has never seriously explored, and has outright refused to propose, obviously less intrusive alternatives such as multiple small-cell installations, distributed antenna systems (DAS), or co-location on existing structures. The Board is legally entitled—and in fact required— to demand proof that such alternatives are truly infeasible before even considering a 120-foot tower in a conservation area. 3. The Board’s denial of the height variance was entirely within its authority Local zoning boards retain broad discretion to protect environmental resources, community character, and public welfare. Denying a variance that would allow a massive industrial structure in a designated conservation area is a textbook example of responsible local land-use authority that federal law explicitly preserves. Allowing this tower via a last-minute settlement would set a dangerous precedent: any carrier could simply file a lawsuit (or threaten one) and force municipalities to surrender protected open space rather than defend a lawful decision in court. Our community trusts the Zoning Board to protect our conservation lands, not to fold at the first sign of expensive litigation. Please hold the line. Do not sign the agreement. If Verizon wants its day in court, give it to them—the record amply supports denial, and we are confident the Board’s decision will be upheld. Thank you for your continued stewardship of Itaca’s natural resources and for standing with the residents who elected you. Sincerely, Nathan Walz 9 Evergreen Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850 -- journeytooptimalhealth.com