ORLANDO -- A controversial plan to build a cell phone tower on the property of a local church is not sitting well with nearby residents.
Pershing Avenue Christian Church, in the Conway area, wants to build the 16-story tower, its members saying with the state of the economy, the parish needs the $800 monthly income.
"This would help us meet our budget and a little bit of less strain on some of those," said Scott Haselwood, a church member.
Local residents said while the church might benefit, they would lose out on their own property values.
"Some of the houses particularly close to it may have a difficult time selling if you look out the back window and you see the base of a cell tower sitting there," said Christopher Hagy, a neighbor who is against the tower.
Haselwood said he understands the concern, but added, "On the other hand, they're all over the place. That's how life is today. If they don't put it here, they'll put it someplace else."
Hagy said health hazards were another concern.
"Think about how many things we were told were safe and not an issue, only to find out years later," Hagy said. "It's just not worth the risk until we know one way or the other."
Haselwood said his research showed the radiation is too low, and the tower would be in the middle of the church's 5-acre property.
The Orange County Commission is expected to vote to approve the plan sometime in November.
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