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disaster. Secondly, the tower will provide better service for - cellular users. Also, in the event of a natural disaster, the only communication available is usually cellular and this tower will provide improved communications. Geoff Sluggett of Unruh Smith & Associates, representing Bell South and property owners Mr. and Mrs. David Holmes, explained there is a dead spot in the middle of the county and this tower is necessary to fill the existing need. Mr. Sluggett presented a rendering of the fenced -in facility and pointed out the industrial nature of the surrounding area. He felt this is the most ideal site from a land use perspective as it is a very passive use. The only traffic occurs twice a month when maintenance comes to check the tower. They have met several times with surrounding property owners and have attempted to allay their concerns. They want to be a good neighbor and feel the tower will be a major benefit to the county with the 800 Mhz system. Mr. Sluggett believed the County would have to construct its own tower for this use if BellSouth's tower is not built. He reminded the Board that the only communication available the first 4 weeks after Hurricane Andrew was cellular. Gil Pastoresa an Attorney representing Bell South in Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties, gave his background and addressed some of the health issues, explaining that BellSouth is federally licensed onsite with FAA approvals. He presented a chart showing the health risks from the tower to be significantly lower than the government's standard. Dade County did a study and has allowed sites at 3 hospitals located in Dade County. Larry Parks of 140 9th Court, president of Interstate Industrial Park and owner of Coastal Van Lines, explained that their number one area of concern is public safety. Everyone in the park is extremely concerned about the radiation and his metal building is located within 200 feet of the proposed tower. This tower is proposed to be located right in the center of the park and there is concern about decreased property values. They feel there is an abundance of agricultural land available which would be a more suitable location. Commissioner Eggert commented that she has never seen anything in any of the scientific studies to indicate there was any danger involved in this type of transmission. Ben Marks of Indian Harbor Beach works at Coastal Van Lines 8 hours a day, felt the statement_ that there are no medical repercussions is not to be believed. We are at a point now where we are meeting technology head-on and he believed that all of the NOVEMBER 7, 1995 37 BOOK 96 PAGE