Verizon wants to put a 120' 5G Cell Tower in our community!

What's at Stake and Why We Need Your Help to Stop the Tower

Snowflake MCS/EHS community There is a community of people that live near the proposed site that are sensitive to RF exposure. The community was created by the need for a "Promised Land" where residents could escape triggers that caused debilitating symptoms such as migraines, nausea, seizures, respiratory issues, neurological problems, and extreme fatigue. Conditions often dismissed by mainstream medicine. The Americans with Disabilities Act plays a key role in the underlying permit denial. Residents opposing the tower cited ADA-related concerns, arguing that electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) qualifies as a disability under the ADA. They claimed the tower could harm disabled individuals in the area, making the denial a matter of civil rights and disability accommodations. SBA Communication is disregarding the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADAA, and the Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act for the disabled members of the EI community, and sued Navajo County for denying the permit. The county's decision was based on substantial evidence - the standard. According to federal telecommunications rules, SBA is only entitled to an "expedited review" of the county's decision, but now wants to settle, despite that the court has not completed its review. Urge the county to deny any settlement offer and stand by its solid decision!

Black Mesa cell tower provides better service already. The data provided at the 9/24/24 Navajo County BOS meeting concerning a gap in coverage is obsolete since the Black Mesa tower was installed. The new tower greatly improves cell reception so the proposed tower is NOT needed. See PDF "Impact of Black Mesa Cell Tower on Signal Strength on Concho Hwy" below

The tower will be an eyesore! It will be 120 feet tall and stick out like a sore thumb as there are no trees in the area. In the permit application, SBA mentions other carriers can add to the pole as well so we have no idea what we will be exposed to in the future.

We don't know if 5G radiation is safe. The potential health risks associated with 5G technology are not yet fully understood. There is still a great deal of research to be done to understand the long-term effects of exposure to 5G radiation. This location is too close to homes, where kids are picked up from the school bus and where most of us get our mail. In 2021, a federal court ordered the FCC to explain why it ignored scientific evidence showing harm from wireless radiation and the FCC has still not responded - https://ehtrust.org/in-historic-decision-federal-court-finds-fcc-failed-to-explain-why-it-ignored-scientific-evidence-showing-harm-from-wireless-radiation/

The tower could lead to decreasing property values in the area. The installation of 5G technology is a controversial topic, and many potential buyers may be hesitant to purchase property in an area where such technology has been installed. The homes in the EI Community were constructed especially for people with electrical sensitivities. These homes contain many special features that are uncommon on typical homes. See letters from local real estate agents below.

How we found out about proposed tower

Did you notice the tiny orange sign on the fence across from the mail boxes on White Antelope in 2024?

That was how Navajo County notified us!

In the SBA Communications permit application (see PFD document "SBA Communications Tower Application" below) they said they conducted a community meeting, 3 people showed up. I didn't hear about that meeting, did you?

County Meetings and Permit Denial

On Sept 24, 2024 there was a Navajo County BOS meeting where the BOS tabled the permit decision, pending more information. Members of the EI community and other neighbors expressed their concerns and the BOS decided to reschedule vote on the permit.

The next meeting was scheduled for November 12, 2024 where the BOS unanimously denied the permit, we thought that was it and we could move on with our lives.

SBA Communications sued Navajo County on September 10, 2025 (see PDF document "SBA Communications vs Navajo County") stating that the reason for the denial was due to health concerns. The FCC has not updated its safety standards since 1996, with 5G we have no idea how it will affect us and wild life.

Current Permit Status

According to Navajo County, there is a tentative settlement with SBA Communications to approve the permit. The settlement is on hold until the Court decides whether or not to allow the EI Community to intervene. SBA is basically bullying the county into approving the permit.

We are hoping to get more neighbors involved to help us stop the tower if the county does decide to approve the permit.

TAKE ACTION!!!

Let Navajo County know we don't want the tower here and to reject any settlement offer!

Call (928) 524-4053 or Email -

Bryan Layton is the county manager and communicating with us regarding status of the BOS voting on the settlement with SBA Communications. Email him at countymanager@navajocountyaz.gov

You can also email Melissa Buckley, the clerk of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors at Melissa.Buckley@navajocountyaz.gov

Call SBA Communications Call 800-487-7483. Tell them we do not want this tower and stop pursuing our corner and find another site!

Contact Verizon's Executive Vice President and CEO Verizon Consumer Group and tell them we don't need this tower and if you have service with them threaten to switch service. Email him at s.sampath@verizon.com