Mantua Swim & Tennis Club is considering a proposal from Verizon Wireless to install a 150-foot flagpole-style wireless tower beside Tennis Court #1. Designed to look like a traditional flagpole, the structure would improve cell coverage in the Mantua neighborhood—an area Verizon has identified as experiencing significant service gaps and dropped calls.

In return for leasing a small portion of club property, MSTC would receive monthly base rent with annual increases, plus additional rent for each future carrier that co-locates on the tower. Specific financial terms have been shared directly with MSTC members. If you’d like more information, please contact admin@mantuastc.org. Revenue from the project may be used to offset member dues and support future facility improvements.

The proposed installation includes concealed equipment, no strobe or beacon lighting, and strict protections for the property, including removal and site restoration at Verizon’s expense when the tower is no longer needed. A membership vote will determine whether the project moves forward.

This page provides all relevant documents, FAQs, and updates to help members make an informed decision. If we’ve missed something, send your question to admin@mantuastc.org and we’ll add it to the FAQ.

(All carrier-side tasks are led by Network Building + Consulting (NB+C), the site-acquisition and development partner for Verizon.)

Past Events

What exactly is being proposed?

A 150-foot flagpole-style monopole wireless tower (also called a “stealth monopole”) next to Tennis Court #1. It supports Verizon antennas and could fly a flag, with all equipment enclosed or concealed.

Why is MSTC considering this project?

Improved wireless service for the community: Verizon has received numerous complaints about poor coverage and dropped calls in and around Mantua. After a site analysis, MSTC was identified as an ideal location for a tower due to its elevation, central location, and line-of-sight access over the tree canopy. The proposed installation is expected to significantly enhance service reliability for Verizon customers in the area.

Long-term revenue for the club: The proposed lease provides stable monthly income, plus additional income for each future carrier that co-locates on the structure. Specific financial terms have been shared directly with MSTC members. If you’d like more information, please contact admin@mantuastc.org.

This revenue can help offset member dues, fund capital improvements, and reduce the need for special assessments. 

In short, the project offers a unique opportunity to address a real service gap in the neighborhood while creating a new income stream to benefit all MSTC members.

How many carriers can the pole handle?

While Verizon will be the initial tenant, Fairfax County may require the tower to be built to support 2–3 total carriers. This is common practice to reduce the need for multiple towers in the same area and allow for co-location by other major providers like AT&T or T-Mobile in the future.

Each additional carrier would require its own equipment cabinet at the base and would be subject to MSTC’s approval. Per the draft lease, MSTC would receive additional rent for each added carrier, increasing the long-term financial benefit to the club.

Has the Board already approved the project?

No. The Board voted to bring the proposal to the membership. The members will decide whether to move forward with the proposal.

Will members get to vote?

Yes. Once final terms are reviewed, members will vote via mail or the MSTC website. Each membership household gets one vote. A membership majority (301 votes) is required to approve the project.

How much rent will MSTC receive and how often does it increase?

MSTC will collect a fixed monthly base rent that rises a set percentage every year. Exact dollar amounts and percentages have been circulated to members. Members may request details via admin@mantuastc.org.

Where will the money go—dues relief or capital projects?

This revenue can help offset member dues, fund capital improvements, and reduce the need for special assessments.

Does MSTC share in revenue from additional carriers?

Yes. The draft lease pays MSTC additional revenue per month for each co-located carrier (e.g., AT&T or T-Mobile). Exact dollar amounts have been circulated to members. Members may request details via admin@mantuastc.org.

Who pays property taxes or extra insurance on the tower?

The lease obligates Verizon to reimburse MSTC 100% of any additional real-estate tax and to carry $5M+ in liability insurance naming MSTC as an additional insured. No new out-of-pocket insurance expense is expected for the club.

What happens if Verizon cancels early?

The lease requires full removal and site restoration at Verizon’s cost.

What if Verizon sells the lease to another company?

MSTC holds approval rights over any assignment. All lease terms—including removal, insurance, and usage—apply to any new operator.

Will MSTC need more insurance?

Verizon must carry $5M+ in general liability and name MSTC as an additional insured. Our existing umbrella policy will be reviewed to ensure coverage alignment.

Are there any known health risks?

Per the FCC and National Cancer Institute, RF emissions at ground level are far below federal safety limits. Still, MSTC will review updated health guidance annually.

Is it actually safe to put a cell-tower monopole next to tennis courts, the pool, and nearby homes?

Yes. Every U.S. base-station must comply with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) maximum-permissible-exposure (MPE) limits for the general public. For the PCS band often used by carriers, that limit is about 580 µW/cm². Field studies show that ground-level readings at the foot of typical monopoles are around 1 µW/cm² or less—hundreds of times lower than the limit.

Are towers allowed in residential areas?

Yes. Federal law allows towers in residential zones, and they are commonly installed on schools, churches, apartment buildings, and community centers—anywhere coverage is needed.

Are children or seniors more vulnerable to the tower’s radio-frequency (RF) energy?

Major health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), report no confirmed adverse effects from the very low RF levels produced by properly installed base stations for any age group.

Who ensures the tower stays within safe limits?

The FCC requires each carrier on the tower to file an RF-safety study and certify compliance when the site is built and whenever equipment changes. Fairfax County’s permitting office will not issue final occupancy approval until that FCC documentation is on file.

Have similar towers been safely installed near schools or playgrounds?

Yes. Fairfax County Public Schools host 30 monopoles (link) on school or administrative campuses—some since the late 1990s—without any documented RF-related health incidents.

How do RF levels from the tower compare with everyday sources like Wi-Fi or cell phones?

Measurements a short distance from a cell tower are typically lower than the RF your phone emits at your ear and about the same as, or below, many home Wi-Fi routers, all still far under FCC limits.

Is there constant radiation from the tower?

Cell towers emit low-level, non-ionizing RF energy intermittently, primarily when handling calls or data. These emissions are many times lower than federal limits at ground level.

What do independent experts say overall?

We understand that members may have questions about potential health effects of cell towers near homes and schools. Here are links to what national health authorities, independent researchers, and government-led commissions report:

• U.S. FDA & FCC

• World Health Organization

• Health Canada & European Union Panels

• American Cancer Society
• U.S. Court of Appeals (2021)

• New Hampshire 5G Commission Report (2020)

Additional Resources (Independent Groups, Academics, Jouranlists):

• Environmental Health Trust
• ProPublica Article
• Professor, University of New Hampshire
• Professor, West Texas A&M University

Will real estate listings have to mention the tower?

No. Virginia’s “buyer beware” disclosure law does not require sellers to mention nearby infrastructure. However, some real estate agents may do so voluntarily.

Will this allow other commercial uses on MSTC property?

No. This is a single-use agreement for wireless communications. It does not permit other businesses or infrastructure.

What are the benefits to the community?

The most immediate benefit is improved cellular coverage for Verizon customers in the Mantua area, which has long experienced dropped calls, slow data, and inconsistent signal strength. The new tower will significantly enhance service quality for residents, first responders, and visitors.

In addition, the tower is being designed to support future co-location by other carriers (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile), which means coverage improvements could extend beyond just Verizon users over time.

Will there be an effect on the natural scenery of the county-maintained trail connecting MSTC to various Mantua cul-de-sacs?

The pole hides behind existing woods, so only brief winter glimpses are possible. Its slim, gray “stealth-flagpole” design blends with the sky, and a county-mandated tree-preservation plan keeps surrounding foliage intact. Construction disruption is short-term; ongoing noise is low, and lights are added only if the FAA demands them.

Does Fairfax County look at property-value impacts when it reviews a tower?

Yes. Every tower proposed on public land undergoes a § 15.2-2232 staff review.

Where can I read more about the effects of cellular towers on property values?

• Richmond MSA paired-sales analysis (Right-of-Way Journal, 1999) (Link)
• Mid-Atlantic market study (W.R. McCain & Associates, 2024): (Link)
• National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) literature digest (Link)
• The Disamenity Value of Cellular Phone Towers on Home Prices in Savannah, Georgia (The Empirical Economics Letters, 2019)   (Link)

What factors make the biggest difference?

Visibility / screening – Strongest driver; hidden or camouflaged towers show little to no discount.
Distance – Discounts, when present, fade beyond ? 1,500 ft.
Overall market cycle – Soft markets magnify any negative signal; hot markets mute it.
Local zoning conditions – Compliance findings (e.g., 2232 reviews) reassure buyers.

How can I estimate the impact on my own home?

1. Pull comparable sales inside and outside the expected visibility radius (an appraiser can do a matched-pair analysis).
2. Check line-of-sight—a tower screened by trees or tucked behind existing light poles is far less noticeable.
3. Document benefits (better coverage, 911 reliability). Balanced information lowers buyer uncertainty, which in turn narrows any discount.

What kind of tower is proposed, and its dimensions?

A 150-foot flag-pole-style monopole (a stealth design that looks like a flag-pole). Typical dimensions at the base of the pool is 24-36? in diameter and 8-12? at the top.

What exactly is a “flag-pole” wireless monopole?

It’s a cell-tower that hides its antennas inside a hollow metal pole painted and lit to look like a standard flag-pole. From the street you’ll usually see only a slightly thicker-than-normal pole, a small equipment cabinet at ground level, and (sometimes) an American flag. MSTC does not plan to fly a flag.

Will the tower contain 5G technology?

Yes.

Will the tower have lighting or make noise?

The 150-ft pole must be submitted to the FAA for an obstruction evaluation.

• Lighting: If the FAA requires an obstruction beacon, Verizon will install it; if the FAA finds no hazard, the tower will stay dark except for a down-facing maintenance lamp used only during service visits.

• Noise: Cooling fans are rated below 50 dBA at 50 ft, so no audible “buzz” is expected for neighbors.

Will it be disguised or landscaped?

Yes. A smooth flag-pole finish, cedar-slat equipment screen, and new evergreen shrubs around the enclosure.

I’d like to see one in person—where should I go?

Below are four existing or approved stealth-flagpole (stealth-monopole) towers, shown only as visual examples of how this concealment style appears in the landscape. None of them is 150 feet tall, and publicly available records and web searches indicate Fairfax County has yet to approve a tower of that height. When visiting, please remain on public rights-of-way or in marked visitor parking and respect all posted signs.

Address	Setting	What to look for
8508 Hooes Rd, Springfield 22153	Sydenstricker United Methodist Church	100-ft pole near the rear parking lot; often flies a U.S. flag.
5100 Backlick Rd / 7010 Braddock Rd, Annandale 22003 (Phillips School campus)	Private school property	115-ft white flag-pole behind classroom wing; visible from Backlick Rd.
7320 Sydenstricker Rd, Springfield 22152	Utility / church parcel	100-ft pole set back from the street; equipment fenced at the base.
7400 Highland St, Springfield 22150	Swim Club	130-ft pole beside parking lot and basketball court; equipment fenced at the base. Images below.

How close will the Verizon compound be to Tennis Court #1?

The current concept shares the court’s fence line. MSTC is exploring different setbacks with Verizon to consider the nearest homeowner and tennis courts; the exact distance will be posted with the revised plan.

Will the paved walking path behind the courts be affected?

No. The path stays open, and the contractor must maintain safe pedestrian access at all times.

What beautification is included?

Verizon will repaint the adjacent fence, install a cedar equipment screen, and add evergreen plantings. MSTC can request extra landscaping in the final exhibit.

Will Verizon need to cut down any trees for the proposed tower?

Verizon has reviewed the site and does not anticipate removing any trees to install or maintain the wireless facility. If minor pruning is ever required to meet county safety clearances, it would be limited to the smallest amount necessary and performed under Fairfax County guidelines.

Did Verizon evaluate alternate sites on MSTC property?

Yes. Verizon studied two possible spots:

1. Southwest corner of Court #2 – highest ground and farthest from club buildings and nearby homes.

2. East side of Court #1 – the location now proposed.

While the Court #2 site offered greater distance from residences, Verizon was concerned about meeting Fairfax County setback and permitting requirements.

What foundation will support the pole, and how deep is it?

A reinforced concrete pier, roughly 5–8 ft in diameter and 20–30 ft deep, depending on final soil tests.

That area has a slope—how will they manage the drop-off?

The contractor will grade the site and add retaining support or fill as needed to keep the slope stable and prevent erosion.

How long will construction take and when?

Approximately 12–15 weeks, weekdays 7 a.m.–6 p.m., starting after Labor Day to avoid peak-summer traffic.

Will the pool, courts, or parking be closed?

No closures. There may be brief (? 15 min) pauses during two crane lifts, but all facilities remain open and emergency lanes clear.

How much of the parking lot will be used, and is compensation offered for overruns?

A few spaces near Court #1 will be reserved for staging. The draft lease now includes a clause that compensates MSTC if construction exceeds the agreed timeline.

How loud is the generator, and does it run full-time?

The backup generator runs only during outages or monthly tests. In its sound-attenuated enclosure it is < 65 dBA at the property line (about a household HVAC unit).

How often will technicians visit, and will they take parking?

Routine maintenance averages one 20–30 min visit per month. A single work van will use two parking spaces during those visits.