Neighbors Speak Against Latest Cell Nodes Proposal

As a neighborhood, Miller Heights decided against above-ground power lines to avoid detracting from the look of the neighborhood.

Neighbors have also decided against a walking path or sidewalk because they did not want a paved gravel look along the roads.

It even took the association 15 years to put up a sign outside the neighborhood because they wanted to get the proper look to match the community's aesthetics.

And when residents heard three light structures were being proposed in the neighborhood, they worried about the effect on the aesthetic character of the neighborhood they've worked so hard to protect.

About 30 people gathered at Waples Mill Elementary School on Tuesday night to hear about NewPath Networks' plan to install four cell nodes, two on Miller Heights Road, one on Blue Roan Road and one on History Drive, for a distributed antennae system.

Gregory Tully, managing director of infrastructure development for Network Building & Consulting, and Bob Ritter, manager of land use with Crown Castle, told residents the nodes would provide broadband antennas that can accommodate any wireless carrier, allowing for greater wireless coverage and capacity in the area. AT&T has hired NewPath, a subsidiary of Crown Castle, for the Oakton project.

The nodes are typically built where existing utility or light poles stand, but the planned structures for all four nodes would have to be built from scratch, as those neighborhoods are equipped with underground wiring.

Tully said NewPath is well aware of the four locations' underground wiring. The company wanted to make building new structures in the area worthwhile, so poles for the nodes would also function as streetlamps.

Each light structure will stand at about 25 feet and provide wireless service for about a quarter-mile radius.

"I've done a poll fairly informally of most of my neighbors, and we don't really want a light there," said Donna Parker, whose home sits at the approximate address for the History Drive node. "We have a very rural feel to our neighborhood, both Miller Heights and the History Drive area, and we don't want lights."

Some residents said better lighting in the neighborhood could be useful, but not at the expense of the neighborhood's character.

Miller Heights residents also expressed concern for making their street more attractive as a throughway for drivers looking for different ways around Oakton. Because of the absence of sidewalks, pedestrians are already on high alert while walking through the neighborhood.

"I don't want to make it easier for drivers to talk on their cell phones while driving down our road," said Leslie Campbell, a Miller Heights Road resident and secretary of the Miller Heights Neighborhoods Associations. "We have a very windy road, and we've got kids walking down the street all the time. I think this presents a huge safety issue."

Though some acknowledged a lack of cell coverage inside their homes, not one spoke in favor of the cell node project as currently proposed.

Residents also questioned the practicality of the four proposed nodes because of the limited coverage it would provide. 

"I can't wrap my head around the financial aspect of this. There is something missing. There is something we do not know," said Jim Tiani, president of the Miller Heights Neighborhoods Associations. "There is no company that is going to put that kind of capital on Miller Heights Road for 15 homes. So I really have to question what's the next door? I'm thinking the next door might be there will be one of these things every quarter mile."

"There's no secret Phase 2 in my briefcase," Ritter said. "If there is a Phase 2 in the future, and it is possible, we will be back here again to get input from the community."

Though separated into two applications for the Fairfax County Planning Commission based on magisterial districts, the four nodes discussed Tuesday night in Providence District and 10 nodes proposed for Fox Mill and Vale roads in Sully District are considered one project. The Sully District application has been filed.

The Planning Commission could accept one application and deny the other, but it would be up to AT&T whether to continue with the project without approval of all 14 nodes.

Providence District nodes:

• 11019 Blue Roan Road
• 3127 Miller Heights Road
• 3104 Miller Heights Road
• 3210 History Drive

Sully District nodes:

• 2928 Fox Mill Road
• 3003 Fox Mill Road
• 11617 Helmont Drive
• 11528 Vale Road
• Vale Road & Cobb Hill Lane
• 12006 Vale Road
• Vale Road & Vale Station Road
• 3279 Fox Mill Road
• 3281 Fox Mill Road
• 3231 Fox Mill Road

NewPath has had several public meetings in the last 18 months about cell node applications for the Oakton area. In May,  for five cell nodes in the Oakton-Vienna area (Hunter Mill Road, Vale Road and Oak Valley Drive) after they could not address . NewPath plans to resubmit an adjusted application for that area.

"As some of you may know, we have had instances in the last couple years on development projects where we've gotten a little bit ahead of community involvement," Tully said. "We do not plan on making that mistake again."

NewPath will host additional community meetings ahead of the public hearings for both applications, Tully said.