By Soraya Gutierrez

Marilyn Garrett wants to protect the neighborhood from a tree she believes will damage health and devalue property.

The tree is actually a cellular phone tower that would emit microwave radiation, and Garret is among critics who contend such towers are harmful — despite studies to the contrary.

"It's unconscionable to be approving technology that harms people and the environment," the Aptos resident said.

Garrett is urging city leaders to deny a wireless company's application to install a cell tower near City Hall, which is surrounded by residential properties. Garrett and another concerned resident organized a protest outside City Hall before last week's regular meeting of the City Council.

Scientific studies on the health of radio frequency emissions have been inconclusive.

But the Federal Communications Commission has stated that measurements made near typical cellular installations, especially those with tower-mounted antennas, have shown that exposure levels on the ground are thousands of times less than limits for safe exposure.

To be exposed to levels at or near the FCC limits for cellular frequencies, a person would have to remain in the main transmitting beam at the height of the antenna and within a few feet from the antenna, according to the agency.

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After the issue of radiation exposure was raised at the meeting, the council asked the item be placed on a future agenda for further public discussion.

Mayor Dennis Norton says the council has "real concerns" about exposure to microwave radiation from cell phone towers.

"Nobody is going to go for it," Norton said.

The city prohibits cell towers within 500 feet of residential property and public facilities. Under federal law, however, local governments are banned from using health concerns as a factor in regulating cell towers.

If a wireless company can prove there's a need to install a tower to provide coverage, the city can't restrict services, according to Capitola's Municipal Code.

The issue will go before the Planning Commission, which can approve the application for a use permit.

The City Council has final say over a lease agreement with the wireless company.

"I don't think the council is going to approve it," Norton said.

In Santa Cruz, a Westside elementary school shut its doors in May, citing concerns about plans by the next-door First Congregational Church to install three cell-phone transmitters atop its 80-foot steeple.