An electric meter and other electronics that are attached to a poll for a 4G cell phone antenna. P-J file photos by Dennis Phillips

An advocate for a think tank organization that promotes a healthier environment through research, education and policy is warning city officials about 5G technology.

On Tuesday during the Jamestown Planning Commission meeting, Theodora Scarato, Environmental Health Trust executive director, joined the online meeting to discuss the alleged health risks of electromagnetic radiation. She said because 5G is a new technology there hasn’t been thorough research into the potential health risks. She also said there has been no research into how 5G technology impacts trees, birds and bees.

“These are issues that haven’t been fully addressed,” she said.

Scarato said the organization she works for called Environmental Health Trust is located in Montgomery County, which is located north of Washington, D.C. She said the 5G antennas and correlating equipment was installed in her community without residents being made aware. She added that overnight hundreds of community residents started to protest the installation of the new technology because the equipment is not aesthetically pleasing.

Greg Rabb, planning commission chairman, said city officials have been reviewing a local ordinance on small cell infrastructure since August. Earlier in the meeting prior to Scarato’s comments, the commission reviewed proposed changes to the ordinance. The commission has discussed 5G technology and small cell infrastructure during four meetings since August.

“We are going over this with a fine-tooth comb,” Rabb said. “I feel confident we have done a good job going over it.”

Scarato offered to provide commission members with research articles into the alleged dangers of 5G technology, which Rabb said city officials will review. Rabb said the commission will continue to review the ordinance quite thoroughly before a recommendation is made to the Jamestown City Council, which would have to approve the ordinance before it’s implemented.

In other business, the commission once again discussed the mitigation plan with Home Leasing, a family-owned, for-profit redevelopment company based in Rochester, for the possible renovation of the historic Arcade Building in downtown Jamestown. Last month, the commission discussed the mitigation plan that was submitted by Home Leasing, which is to fund the city $500 for each unit proposed for a total of $18,000, which would go toward the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corp. to stabilize housing in the city. The commission proposed that Home Leasing provide the city $1,000 per a unit for a total of $36,000.

On Tuesday, Adam Driscoll of Home Leasing said the organization is willing to fund $1,000 per a unit as part of the mitigation plan. Rabb said no action was needed by the commission on the proposed increase. Driscoll said Home Leasing will be submitting a site plan for the redevelopment of the Arcade Building soon. The renovation proposal includes 36 units, with 13 studio and 23 one-bedroom apartments.

The commission approved the site plan, which is subject to approval by city staff, for the expansion of the parking lot at New Creation Assembly of God, located at 116 S. Main St. Dr. William Blair, New Creation Assembly of God pastor, said church officials have been renovating the site for nearly 20 years. He said a house located behind the church was destroyed because of fire and church officials acquired the property to extend its parking lot.