A proposal to install a cell tower on the Mantua Swim & Tennis Club has split the surrounding community.
Despite concerns about the existing, spotty cell service, some residents have criticized the swim club’s plan to allow the potentially 150-foot-tall structure on its property at 9330 Pentland Place — evidenced by protest signs that have sprouted throughout surrounding neighborhoods.
“The stigma about property values, health issues and livability have been flooding all the Facebook pages, and pitting neighbors against each other,” said one local resident, who asked not to be identified owing to the contentious nature of the debate.
Members of the swim and tennis club will vote tomorrow (Tuesday) on whether to move forward on a joint effort with Verizon, seeking Fairfax County’s approval for installation of what is described as a flagpole-style cell tower near the property’s tennis courts.
In a statement to FFXnow, the club’s board of directors acknowledged that “this proposal raises a wide range of opinions and questions, and that members feel strongly on both sides.” The board itself has remained neutral while attempting to gather information, officials said.
“Our responsibility has been to ensure that every member receives the exact voting language, understands how the decision will be made, and has equal access to information well in advance of the vote,” the statement noted.
About 600 households are members of the swim and tennis club and are eligible to vote. That’s about one-third the total surrounding households.
To move forward, the proposal will need an absolute majority of all club members, not just those voting.
Mantua Citizens Association President Matt Mullin says his organization representing 1,600 households has not taken a position on the cell tower, but it is paying attention to the matter.
“Mantua has heard from neighbors that cellphone service is poor,” Mullin told FFXnow. At the same time, there are residents who’ve expressed fear of the consequences of a large tower in their midst, he said.
“We have encouraged leadership of the club to take those concerns seriously,” Mullin said.
Responses from smaller nearby communities have been posted on the swim club’s website:
- The board of directors of the 89-home Pickett’s Reserve homeowners’ association said its community is “adamantly opposed” to the installation, asking club members to vote against it “to preserve community harmony”
- The president and vice president of the 47-home Stockbridge homeowners’ association said a survey of residents showed a mix of people in favor and opposed as well as others with no opinion on the proposal
The swim and tennis club is located on a site that straddles the borders of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. Because the location of the planned tower is on the county side of the divide, it will go through the county government’s review process.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said her office is aware of the proposal, and if it is submitted to the county, it will follow the normal review channels.
“Permitting for a project of this kind includes the county Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Zoning Appeals,” she told FFXnow. “In each stage of the process, there is an opportunity for public notice and hearing. I look forward to hearing from my constituents and working with other county stakeholders to ensure a deliberate and thorough determination.”
Fairfax City leaders are also aware of the proposed tower, but may not have a direct say in decision-making because it’s located slightly outside the city’s borders.
Verizon officials, who have been working with the swim and tennis club since March 2024, said placement of a tower on the club’s parcel will prove beneficial to those in the single-family communities ringing it.
“This proposal is part of our commitment to delivering the reliable, high-quality service our customers deserve, right where they live and work,” a Verizon official told FFXnow, adding:
“People in Fairfax County are doing more in more places with their wireless devices, and we are investing to ensure our network keeps up with their demands. We always work closely with each community to plan a network that meets their unique needs. And it’s clear that residents across the country value strong connectivity — a recent study found that 90% of homebuyers see great cell service as a priority and that 5G access boosts a home’s value.”
If the project goes through, the club will receive monthly payments from Verizon for its use of the site. The amount hasn’t been publicly revealed but has been made available to club members.
“Revenue from the project may be used to offset member dues and support future facility improvements,” club officials say in an online summary of the proposal.
While Verizon has partnered with the club on the plan, other cellphone providers will also use the tower. They, too, would pay the club for the right to do so.
The resident who first brought the issue to FFXnow’s attention acknowledged something needed to be done about cell service.
“The service is extremely poor, at best,” the resident said.
Regardless, the resident said he doesn’t support the tower as currently planned, though he’s not a swim club member and, as a result, can’t vote.
“I do not get a vote, but if I did, I would vote no,” he said.
