An information session on a proposed cell phone tower in a southside neighbourhood turned into a battle ground Tuesday night, with residents taking the wireless company to task over the plan.
Rogers has proposed, and applied for approval to build a 25 metre tall cell phone tower in the centre of Hazeldean.
Dozens of residents attended an information session Tuesday, but the session quickly changed gears to a heated debate.
Many residents fear a drop in property values, and negative health effects should the tower go up.
"We haven't had enough studies saying that, yes, this is a safe thing to do," Upset resident Marlies Kerckhof said. "Just like Rogers couldn't say this tonight that, no, there would be no problems or health issues."
Several would rather see the tower built in the industrial area only blocks away from the proposed site.
Some were willing to go as far as moving out of the quiet neighbourhood over the issue.
"If they're [going to] put that thing up they should help pay for my moving expenses," Kisa Mortenson, who lives across the street from the proposed site said Tuesday. "I will have to move my family."
Residents have turned to their city councillor Kerry Diotte for help – he told CTV News Tuesday he'll go to bat for his ward constituents.
"I will absolutely bring everything that I can to try to stop this," Diotte said. "It's the will of the people in this ward."
"Because of smart phones we're going to have this situation again and again because the companies say that they need more and more towers to carry all the information," Diotte said.
Rogers is also looking at installing about twenty new cell phone towers in Edmonton, to keep up with demand for smart phone service.
Last week, CTV News learned Telus is hoping to install eighty more towers in Alberta this year.
The decision on any proposed cell phone tower is up to the federal government - it's not known when the decision on the proposed Hazeldean tower will be made.
With files from Amanda Anderson
