Expansion of cell tower equipment at Oakview Community Pool raises concerns

Photo from Sue Present

The Oakview community pool is closed. Parents are worried that standing water in the large pool might be a safety hazard for children at Roscoe Nix Elementary School.

A community pools dilapidated appearance is worrying Silver Spring residents who believe its a safety hazard for children at a nearby elementary school.

Now a diesel generator will be placed on the the Oakview pool property, which is across from the Roscoe Nix Elementary School parking lot.

The Montgomery Board of Appeals is debating Verizons request to expand the cell tower equipment compound at 1101 Corliss St. in Silver Spring from 843 to 1,473 square feet. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12.

The primary concern is whether Verizons request interferes with school traffic.

If approved, the diesel fuel generator would move across the back of the elementary school parking lot through a new access gate, where the larger and adjacent kiddy pools are located.

Because of its proximity to the school, Janis Zink Sartucci of the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, who is opposed to the expansion, believes it heightens commercial traffic near the school. Its particularly dangerous if the gate at the back of the pool is left unlocked, she said.

My guess is it can be unlocked at any time. Its just a deadbolt, she said. A kid comes in and then they could climb out and leave and theyve unlocked the door, with no maintenance of the pool area, with no one checking daily that door can be unlocked today.

The cell tower equipment expansion and the lack of maintenance is an ongoing problem that the Parents Coalition hopes the board of appeals will address.

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Expansion of cell tower equipment at Oakview Community Pool raises concerns