2024-10-28 David Cowles and Joanna Etka Testimony

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"11.3.3 Standard (a) In development and placement of ... cellular towers ..., the design of the facilities shall consider the existing environment, scenic view and vistas shall be considered and preserved where possible." Visual Renegade proposes a 150' monopole tower. It claims that the site is densely forested with a canopy of tall trees which will hide all but the top of the tower(Page 13). Neither is true. Ohi'a trees grow very slowly and under the best conditions achieve maximum heights of 66 to 82 feet, (Hawaii Dept. of Natural Resources). Therefore, given the best circumstances and conditions and assuming a healthy canopy of Ohi'a, anywhere from 68' to 84' of the tower would be visible above a forested tree line. Applicant's own photos simulating the tower in relation to the area and its photos of the subject parcel do not support its assertion that its 150' tower will have little visual impact. (Pages 25-30) Neither the tower site nor the area between the site and Route 130 have a heavy or tall canopy. (Pages 66-76,90-93) The applicants photos show really no canopy whatsoever in the site area and there is but a single 40' Ohi'a nearby. In addition the area between the proposed site and Ho'onone Road is mostly open having no canopy. Applicant's drone and tower simulations show at best that the top third of the tower will be visible and at worst the top two thirds or more. Two additional factors will exacerbate the visual impact of the tower in the future. First is Rapid Ohi'a Death which will thin and destroy any canopy in the area. Second is Applicant's plan is to attract additional cell carriers. Currently the plan shows Verizon as the anchor and T mobile as a secondary carrier. The plan has space for two more carriers and Renegade admits that it is trying to bring AT&T onboard. When this occurs the top third to two thirds of the pole will stand out even more due to the added equipment. We ask that the Commission require that the tower be lowered to a height that minimizes the visual impact on the area. As an alternative we ask that Renegade build a monopine tower as opposed to a monopole. In their plan they claim that a monopine design is very heavy an financially unfeasible due to the structural/wind and foundation costs. However this argument does not hold much weight. Renegade's previously withdrawn proposal for a tower further down and on the west side of Route 130 was for a 155' monopine. (See Page 36, November 15, 2023 letter to Planning Dept. from Danette Martin.) Additionally a buffer zone of trees and shrubs should be planted along an open area of the subject parcel that adjoins Ho'onone Road. Noise, Air Quality and Fire Prevention Applicant's current plan has two carriers, Verizon and T -mobile, each having a control cabinet with air conditioner units which in our climate would run almost continuously to cool the electronics. In addition Verizon will have a 30kw diesel generator and T Mobile a 48kw diesel generator for backup electrical power. The recommended U.S. noise levels are 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime. Diesel generators of these sizes typically have noise levels of 75-85 dBA when equipped with exhaust suppression, 120-130 dBA levels without suppression. According to Danette Martin, Renegade's agent, the generators will automatically test run once a month for 15 minutes. However tower generators often test run for an hour once a week. Obviously when there is a power outage the generators will run continuously until power is restored to the area.