North Bend neighbors challenging cell tower

A group of North Bend residents are raising money to fight a 150-foot cell tower proposed for their neighborhood.

A group of North Bend residents are raising money to fight a 150-foot cell tower proposed for their neighborhood.

The tower challengers met Sunday at a neighborhood home to discuss how to prevent construction of a T-Mobile facility at the 42000 block of 102nd Street.

They are against the idea of a tall tower affecting their Valley views and property.

“A 150-foot cell tower is completely out of bounds for that area,” neighbor Rob Salopek told the Valley Record. “The regulated size is 60 feet.”

“We’re not complaining about cell coverage in our neighborhood at all,” Salopek said.

While the neighbors prefer not to have one at all, “We’re not saying don’t build one,” Salopek added. “Just keep it 60 feet, make it look like the rest of the environment, we’re happy. If you do build one, do it correctly.”

The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services approved the tower in February. Neighbors filed their appeal before the Feb. 29 deadline.

The appeal will be heard by the county hearing examiner on Monday, May 21, in Seattle.

The group estimates it’s going to cost about $15,000 to fight the tower.