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Indybay Feature

Stop the Proposed Cell Tower in Downtown Boulder Creek

by Adam Burgess
THE PROPOSED TOWER:
Verizon plans to build a 50 ft. tall "Monopine" cell tower at 13260 Big Basin Hwy (across from Mountain Mechanics behind Jonnies). This tower will not serve Boulder Creek, but will increase service for Northern Santa Cruz. All of downtown, Boulder Creek Elementary, as well as multiple day care facilities will be within the 1000ft radiation radius of the tower. Whether or not radiation is a concern for your family (or business), real estate values and the scenic beauty of Boulder Creek will be affected.
STOP THE PROPOSED CELL TOWER IN DOWNTOWN BOULDER CREEK

THE PROPOSED TOWER:
Verizon plans to build a 50 ft. tall "Monopine" cell tower at 13260 Big Basin Hwy (across from Mountain Mechanics behind Jonnies). This tower will not serve Boulder Creek, but will increase service for Northern Santa Cruz. All of downtown, Boulder Creek Elementary, as well as multiple day care facilities will be within the 1000ft radiation radius of the tower. Whether or not radiation is a concern for your family (or business), real estate values and the scenic beauty of Boulder Creek will be affected.

HOW CAN YOU OBJECT? (Time is running out FAST!):
1) Email Frank Barron (County Planning Department)
(831) 454-2530 pln782 [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us
2) Call Bruce McPhereson (District Supervisor)
(831) 4542200 bruce.mcpherson [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us
3) Call Chris and let him know how you feel about the tower
Chris Mountain Mechanics (Property Owner) (831) 338-3903
4) DEFINITELY ATTEND THE PLANNING MEETING:

FRIDAY (JULY 19TH) 9 a.m. 5th floor 701 Ocean Street

WHAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SAY AT THE HEARING:
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 prevents any argument against cell towers due to health issues. So be prepared to build your argument around the damage to our scenic and historic town and its effects on our real estate values and local business.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
With so many other potential sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains for a cell tower, there is no need to degrade our small historic town (and its delicate economy) with a tower whose purpose is to serve other parts of the county.


BOULDER CREEK HOST TO CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARK #827
There are only 8 California Historical Landmarks in Santa Cruz County. One is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (#983) A symbol of the City of Santa Cruz's history and a crucial pull for tourism, commerce and a key element to its success as a flourishing beach atmosphere. Another is BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK (#827) in Boulder Creek. Similarly, people come from all over the world to visit Big Basin but it’s to experience the remote and tranquil beauty of one of the last groves of ancient redwoods in the world. Boulder Creek's economic viability depends greatly on the seasonal influx of tourists and the quality and authenticity of their experience visiting the host town of such a remarkable Historical Landmark. Boulder Creek and its residents take pride in the heritage and the authentic natural surroundings by which many of its businesses base their livelihoods on. Placing a 50' faux pine tree located the at opening of Big Basin Highway, the gateway to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park will not only be a gleaming eyesore but also an insult to the California Historical Landmark and an embarrassment to our town who proudly hosts the park. This massive fake Christmas tree will also overlook the Merry Brook Lodge, the last cluster of hotel cabins and only accommodation available before entering the Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
The economy of Boulder Creek depends on adventurous couples, the health conscious, and families with young children from as far away as Japan, Germany, and Australia and as close as the Bay Area who enjoy hiking, camping, and wellness activities such as yoga, therapeutic massage and just escaping their world for something a bit more natural. Most of them stroll down our Historic Downtown admiring the authenticity of our shop fronts and architecture. They shop for antiques, rustic goods or organic foods while soaking in the sites and smells of the surrounding forests. After reading the historical name plaques in the shop windows on their stroll back to their cabins they'll soon pass the huge fake pine tree buzzing on the street corner and hunker into bed under its bluish-green metal pine needles wondering if driving that far is really worth sleeping under a cell phone tower.

Tourists ratings of their experience in Boulder Creek

- Boulder Creek is actually an easier town to walk than Felton because it has good sidewalks, and because there are curves in Hwy 9 at both ends of the downtown area, traffic comes to an abrupt slowdown as it cruises through town. There's a New Leaf Market, which stocks organic and sustainable groceries, a tradition bound lumber yard with plenty of redwood, several decent beer halls and sandwich shops, and a lot of boutique antique and import shops. I like just looking at the old architecture of town. The town origins in it's narrow gauge railroad station and lumber yard during the late 19th century are still evident in many places around town.
- "At the north end and one block to the east of this small mountain town, you'll find a great little semi-developed swimming hole , free to the public (like the old days)."..."Big Basin State Park is a very nice place to visit (just up the road) in what is left of the beautiful redwood forests that once covered this area."
-virtualtourst.com

“Solid place to escape from Silicon Valley for a weekend.”
-yelp.com



The town has suffered immensely during the economical downturn. Shop owners and citizens alike have struggled to make ends meet as tourism has been hit hard in the past few years. Adding more insult to injury by building a cell phone tower in the heart of a town that depends on authentic natural beauty as part of its tourism industry is absolutely thoughtless and is already threatening to drive out several shop owners in search of new towns.

In February 2012 Sunset magazine voted Boulder Creek as one of the "Best Places to Live" under the category "Woodsy Dream Towns" quoting it as, "absurdly rural".

Others see the value in our pristine and historically natural community and envy our idyllic setting. Boulder Creek hosts loads of festivals and parades whose focus is on the towns intact natural beauty and small town vibe. All essential to promoting the local economy. Jeopardizing the livelihood of a towns who’s image is the selling point for a tower who’s service is not required in Boulder Creek is damaging to the community and its ability to prosper.

Remote or unpopulated areas in The Santa Cruz Mountains are abundant. There are so many other sites throughout the mountains for a potential site for a cell tower. There is absolutely no need to degrade our small historic town and its delicate economy for a tower whose purpose is to serve other parts of the county.

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drew fenton
Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:25PM
Adam Burgess
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 9:40PM
Christina Wise
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 11:51AM
Jack London
Sun, Jul 21, 2013 3:07PM
Adam Burgess
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 12:30PM
Lisa Robinson vi
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 11:19AM
Adam Burgess
Sat, Jul 20, 2013 10:02AM
SRay
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 3:00PM
Micki
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 9:43AM
Lisa Robinson
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 8:58AM
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