LAGUNA BEACH : Parents Demand Removal of Microwave Tower

A group of parents demanding removal of a microwave tower from the grounds of an elementary school will go before the California Coastal Commission today.

AirTouch Cellular erected the 90-foot tower in August, 1993, on the grounds of El Morro Elementary at the north end of Laguna Beach.

A 10-year contract with the school district allows the company to lease the land for $18,556 a year.

After parents questioned whether electromagnetic radiation might pose a health hazard, the company removed a satellite dish from the site.

The parents, however, have continued to push for removal of the tower and other equipment as well.

AirTouch representatives say that the equipment is not dangerous and has warned its customers that they will lose cellular telephone service between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach if the structure is uprooted.

The company obtained a Coastal Commission permit before erecting the tower. Parents Catherine Rowe and David Carroll are now asking commissioners to revoke that permit on grounds that the company gave “inaccurate . . . and incomplete information” at the time the permit was granted and also failed to properly notify residents.

AirTouch Cellular denied those allegations and stated in a recent letter to customers that their cellular phone service would be lost for 18 months if the company had to replace the cell site.

“We are concerned that a small group of people . . . will significantly reduce the quality of your cellular service in this area,” the letter said.

The Coastal Commission meets at 9 a.m. at the Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. The tower issue is late on the agenda.