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impact the tower would have on their neighborhood. <br />[Record, 2-8 (a) , 2-8 (b) , 2-8 (c) , 2-8 (d) , 2-8 (e) . ] <br />The Board also heard evidence from Chris Braun, who <br />works with Orange County Emergency Management Service. <br />Braun testified that, although American Towers contends <br />cellular services are needed by EMS and other emergency <br />services, cellular phones have not been used in the <br />seven years that he has been a paramedic. Braun <br />testified that radios are preferred by emergency <br />officials such as the Durham EMT Department, and that <br />they do not plan to start using cellular phones. Braun <br />also testif~.ed that he had seen a recent employee memo <br />from the hospital where he works and that the hospital <br />would be implementing a policy discouraging the use of <br />cell phones because they interfered with patient <br />equipment. [Record, 2-9.] <br />The Board heard evidence from Gary Phillips, a real <br />estate consultant and land planner, who testified an the <br />issue of maintaining property values and on the issue of <br />harmony with the area where the special use is proposed <br />to be located. Phillips testified that both the <br />Smathers and Morgan studies were seriously flawed, and <br />only served to demonstrate that all property values in <br />the area have risen in the past few years. Phillips <br />also stated that he had experience with selling lots in <br />the vicinity of a tower in the Ode Turner Road area near <br />Hillsborough, and that that tower had made it difficult <br />to sell those lots around the tower. The prices for the <br />lots closer to that tower were 25-300 lower than the <br />prices for lots away from the tower. He testified that, <br />in his opinion, American Towers had failed to show that <br />it complied with all of the requirements of the Orange <br />County Zoning Ordinance; American Towers' evidence did <br />not prove that its proposed tower use would maintain or <br />enhance the value of the contiguous property; and had <br />failed to provide evidence that it would be in harmony <br />with the area in which it would be located. [Record, 2- <br />13.] <br />After hearing all of the evidence submitted by both the <br />applicant and those in opposition to the tower, on this <br />issue, the Board finds that the tower will not maintain <br />or enhance the value of contiguous properties. <br />12 <br />