Piper Glen Residents Protest Possible Cell Towers

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-The fight over cell phone towers planned for a South Charlotte neighborhood is heating up.

Dozens of residents staged protests at Piper Glen Estates.

“Not in my yard not in your yard,” chanted residents.

Dozens of Piper Glen residents stood along Rea road in South Charlotte to protest proposed cell phone towers in their neighborhood.

Emilio Echave lives in Piper Glen and says, “This is an awareness if it’s here it can be anywhere in Charlotte.”

Holding signs that read “No cell towers on our lawns” and chanting “Get the cell out!!!”

Crown Castle wants to put four cell towers in selected yards– to enhance 9-11 and other cell service.

Residents say the private company is taking advantage of a federal law.

Another resident Steve Manz says, “Because the rights of way are available to utility companies they can get this for free, and put a cell tower in somebodys front yard.”

Residents here in Piper Glen say what’s happening in their neighborhood could also happen to other neighborhoods in Charlotte.”

Charlotte City council member Ed Driggs says “If they want to go into a neighborhood they have to comply with certain rules and restrictions. That is overseen by the staff.”

City Council member Ed Driggs lives in Piper Glen.

He says while it is up to the city to approve the towers, they can’t be rejected if they meet federal guidelines.

Driggs says, “I feel a little bit helpless…at the the end of the day the person that can help them is in Washington because we are talking about the enforcement of federal  laws.”

Leaving residents frustrated.

“If you think you’re just sitting back enjoying your neighborhood and your community, be careful you could have towers coming in without you knowing it,” says Echave.

Residents will meet with officials from Crown Castle Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 6:30PM to go over alternate sites for the towers.

The meeting will be held at the South Charlotte banquet center at 9009 Bryant Farms Road.