Dear Editor: AT&T representatives held a community meeting on Jan. 25, 2011 at La Barca Restaurant to discuss nine 7-foot antennas emitting microwave radiation being placed on the top of the garage next to the Tule Elk School and above the Lombard Street Post Office.
Proposed plans had already been filed with the Department of Health and the San Francisco Planning Department prior to the public meeting. These plans were known as far back as the first week of November 2010. Three months had passed before the community input meeting occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011.

The following are some of the concerns raised at this meeting:
1. Other locations were not considered, as the garage location filled a gap in the grid and thus reception. Three of the antennas will be placed in clusters and each cluster will face a specific direction, completing a triangle pointing toward the school, toward Van Ness Avenue, and toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Once in place, other telephone companies will increase their interest and it will extend the “farm.”

2. Individuals in the meeting expressed major concerns for microwave radiation affects on young, growing and developing children attending [Tule Elk] school. Several thoughts came to mind: how much radiation, if any, is safe; affects long-term; affects on children who are challenged, have illnesses, and those who are healthy, etc.

3. [Neighbors] were concerned about reduction in their property values and accompanying obstruction of views (one of the reasons for buying expensive Marina properties).

4. Although the antennas would be covered with a fence-style arrangement, radiation levels will emit through wood and cement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week permanently. No documents could be passed out to attendees of the amount of radiation emitted.

5. A coverage map was requested. Other smaller antenna locations are nearby; one will be dismantled and incorporated in the groupings on the Lombard Street garage. Every three- to four-block quadrant is included in a five-year plan and will house additional antennas.

6. Studies were requested. Also, what methodology was used to determine the “gap”?

7. Any temporary or permanent resident within 500 feet will be impacted.

8.    AT&T will lease the garage parking spaces from the City and County of San Francisco; Lombard Street has no other publicly owned building and was chosen for that reason. Leasing cost estimates of $15,000 and above will be paid monthly to the City.

A petition indicating that we do not want the antennas placed on top of the garage [has been started]. We have approximately 250 signatures to date and are still collecting. This petition will be presented to the Planning Department and the Board of Supervisors. Please let us know if you have another location suggestion (we will include it in our presentation) or if you would like to attend the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission meetings when scheduled. Contact Christina Stout (415-922-5602) for information.

Christina Stout, Cow Hollow resident