Applicant Withdraws Proposal for Cell Tower on Sauvie Island

Community Opposition Stops 150-Foot Cell Tower Near School

In a victory for health-conscious families on Sauvie Island, Oregon, a proposed 150-foot cellular tower that would have been located close to a K-8 charter school and residential homes has been withdrawn. Multnomah County confirmed on Monday that the application, submitted by Capital Design Services on behalf of Verizon, was canceled effective July 13.

The tower would have replaced a patch of forest owned by the Sauvie Island Grange with a 2,500-square-foot site, surrounded by a 6-foot-tall fence. For parents at Sauvie Island School, the proximity raised serious concerns about long-term EMF exposure for children who would spend their days within close range of the facility.

What Made This Campaign Successful

The withdrawal came after months of organized community pressure. A petition opposing the tower collected 828 signatures from island residents, and parents voiced concerns that the affected forest was "an essential part of preserving the school's enrollment and character." Just as families research low-EMF air purifiers and other protective measures for their homes, these parents took proactive steps to prevent a new EMF source from being installed near where their children learn and play.

Jennifer Herrick, a parent living near the school, told Willamette Week: "As a parent living in this community, I'm relieved to see this outcome. What stood out most was how this played out: A lease was signed without proper authority and in violation of our local grange's own bylaws."

The opposition intensified when two grange members filed a legal complaint alleging that grange president Lynnda Steenslid had circumvented proper procedures in negotiating the lease with Vertical Bridge Towers. The complaint alleged the grange knew about the lease long before disclosing it to members and that required votes on the property sale never took place.

For homebuyers evaluating properties, this case demonstrates the importance of researching planned cell tower installations in your area. While solutions like EMF shielding paint can help reduce exposure from existing sources, preventing new towers from being installed near homes and schools remains the most effective protection strategy. This community showed that organized, persistent advocacy—combined with attention to legal procedures—can successfully protect residential areas from unwanted EMF infrastructure.

Originally reported by Willamette Week