ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A small lawn mower shop nestled in the middle of residential community in Bonsack is in the middle of a tall controversy.
Mother of four and nurse practitioner Lori Foster is fighting a request to put a nearly 200-foot cell tower on the property at Magnotti's Small Engine, located on 4247 Bonsack Road.
"A 200-foot cell tower 200 yards from your home isn't exactly appealing to those of us who will stay here and to those who might be attracted to come to the area," Foster said.
According to documents with Roanoke County Community Development Planning and Zoning, Morgan Ventures on behalf of AT&T, says the tower will fill a void in service and provide coverage for E911 and traffic along 460.
"People that are looking out their homes across 460 looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains will see the tower," Foster said.
Foster and other families opposed to the tower say their concerns reach beyond the disruption of the scenery.
"It's only on an acre of land and should something happen to the cell tower such as collapse or other damage that's also a risk with so many children running around our neighborhood."
She also cites research showing adjacent property values drop 20%. Despite federal claims the risk of adverse health effects is extremely low, Foster says the unknown health risk is a cost she doesn't want to bear.
"As a mother of four small children it certainly is something that's in the back of my mind."
Magnotti's owner Bob Magnotti didn't want to talk on camera but says while he was conflicted with the decision, the price was right for him. He doesn't live on the property but signed off on letting his land be used to help pay for his wife's organ replacement and life-long drug therapy.
He says he has a two year contract with Morgan Ventures, renewable every year, which is basically a retainer. He won't say how much he's already been given but calls it "minuscule." Magnotti says he'll get at least $1300 a month if the tower goes up but says he's banking on other providers adding antennas, which would increase his monthly payment for the life of the tower.
The proposed tower would provide AT&T its antenna but would also support the addition of antennas from three other carriers.
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Magnotti says he's the "little lawn mower repair man trying to take care of my family."
For now, neighbors are counting names, circulating a petition and gaining support on their Facebook page, Say "No" to cell tower in Bonsack. They plan to show up in numbers to a Planning Commission public hearing scheduled for January 6, 2015 and a Board of Supervisors public hearing on January 27, 2015.