To: Herbert Zechman, Jr., Bethel Township Supervisor, Randall Haag, Bethel Township Supervisor, Carl Kauffman, Bethel Township Supervisor, Kevin Barnhardt, Berks County Commissioner, Christian Leinbach, Berks County Commissioner, Mark Scott,...
Save the Appalachian Trail from unneccesary cell towers!
We want Berks County PA Commisioners and Bethel Township Supervisors to abide by the well reasoned denial by the local Bethel Township Zoning Hearing Board to allow a 255ft communications tower to be erected within a thriving residential community right next to the Appalachian Trail. Use the existing tower that American Tower Corporations has already offered and is able to hold all of the equipment with room left over!
Why is this important?
Cell towers are dangerous! They can cause cancer to those living around them and are responsible for more bird deaths EACH YEAR than the entire Exxon-Valdez oil spill!
Please help us keep an unnecessary cell tower out of our neighborhood and away from the Appalachian Trail!
Last year, Berks County PA requested relief from the Bethel Township's local zoning rules to erect a 255 ft emergency communications tower. Usually this would not have been a big issue BUT unfortunately:
+ this tower would be placed in the very center of a thriving residential community,
+ is a 5 minute walk from the Appalachian Trail,
+ is atop the Kittatinny Ridge- the most important endangered migratory bird pathway in the eastern United States.
After eight months of testimony, where it was revealed that there is a perfectly good tower already in the area which could hold ALL of the necessary equipment (with room left over), the zoning officers decided that this tower was just too big and not justified.
Instead of then working with the American Tower Corporation, who have offered their services, the Berks County Commissioners decided that they would not collocate on the existing tower.
Instead, last month, all three Berks County Commissioners, Brian Gottschall (head of emergency management), and all their lawyers descended unannounced on our local Bethel Township Supervisors monthly meeting and berated them for TWO hours. They threatened that if we do not give them what they want, they will exclude Bethel Township's citizens from the County's emergency system- putting thousands of lives at risk!
Finally our supervisors capitulated and have drawn up a Tower-By--Right clause which will nullify the zoning boards decision. This clause will allow our Environmental Protected District to be permanently rubber stamped for future towers!! They will vote on this proposal this Monday, June 17. Their decision will be final. Please! Help us stand with our local boards who do NOT want to do this, but are being strong-armed by the county. Tell Berks county to use the existing tower, abide by the legal ruling- and save our community, Trail, and endangered birds! Thank you!!
Please help us keep an unnecessary cell tower out of our neighborhood and away from the Appalachian Trail!
Last year, Berks County PA requested relief from the Bethel Township's local zoning rules to erect a 255 ft emergency communications tower. Usually this would not have been a big issue BUT unfortunately:
+ this tower would be placed in the very center of a thriving residential community,
+ is a 5 minute walk from the Appalachian Trail,
+ is atop the Kittatinny Ridge- the most important endangered migratory bird pathway in the eastern United States.
After eight months of testimony, where it was revealed that there is a perfectly good tower already in the area which could hold ALL of the necessary equipment (with room left over), the zoning officers decided that this tower was just too big and not justified.
Instead of then working with the American Tower Corporation, who have offered their services, the Berks County Commissioners decided that they would not collocate on the existing tower.
Instead, last month, all three Berks County Commissioners, Brian Gottschall (head of emergency management), and all their lawyers descended unannounced on our local Bethel Township Supervisors monthly meeting and berated them for TWO hours. They threatened that if we do not give them what they want, they will exclude Bethel Township's citizens from the County's emergency system- putting thousands of lives at risk!
Finally our supervisors capitulated and have drawn up a Tower-By--Right clause which will nullify the zoning boards decision. This clause will allow our Environmental Protected District to be permanently rubber stamped for future towers!! They will vote on this proposal this Monday, June 17. Their decision will be final. Please! Help us stand with our local boards who do NOT want to do this, but are being strong-armed by the county. Tell Berks county to use the existing tower, abide by the legal ruling- and save our community, Trail, and endangered birds! Thank you!!