Encinitas to host town hall on 5G

Several Encinitas residents asked the City Council Sept. 18 to keep 5G wireless technology out of the city, with a community workshop to discuss the issue scheduled Sept. 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center.

Encinitas resident Rich Van Every called it the “most important” issue facing the city. Other residents echoed the same sentiment, adding that they’re concerned about potential side effects of being exposed to 5G.

A Change.org petition urging the city of Encinitas to ban 5G cell towers has collected nearly 1,000 signatures.

The FCC has maintained that its current radio-frequency exposure limits are safe.

The city of Encinitas is looking to update its wireless facilities ordinance, which was adopted in 2001 to comply with the Federal Communications Act of 1996. New federal regulations were passed last year to accelerate the transition to 5G cellular networks throughout the United States.

The Encinitas Community Center is located at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. For more information, visit encinitasca.gov.