Cell Tower
- Thread starter BigDave
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AndyR
Gold Member
Dave - Cell towers got guaranteed placement care of your congressman in 1992 with the Communications Act of '92 - a sweetheart deal for the telecom industry. Here in New Hampshire we have had moderate success in restricting placement through the use of Telecommunications Overlay Zones and other zoning methods. Try as you might you cannot ban cell towers outright. You can (to the best of my knowledge) designate certain areas (like commercial/industrial zones) where they can be placed but the key to that is having your zoning in place *before* the cell company files an application. Your best defense is to be involved in local government - serve on a planning or zoning board, etc. Also, depending on the tower configuration it can handle several co-located antenna arrays so multiple compnaies can use one tower. There are certain cell companies that have a reputation for being very hard to work with - so make sure the town specifies that the applicant must provide access/fill the tower before anyone can build another. You can also specify a bond or other mechanism to insure that the tower will be removed when obsolete. I know it won't stop the tower from being built but you can extract your pound of flesh from the vendor if you want to.
I agree with the observations about the inanity of the fake tree towers. Most fakes I have seen use uniform length branches - extremely unnatural. My understanding is that the tower needs to be about 20' above the tree tops for good signal strength if you are on the top of a hill. Sometimes I have seen the fake tree concept work really well but most times it is just visually jarring. Ask for specifics on alternative placement (top of farmers barn, church steeple, etc.)
Good Luck!
I agree with the observations about the inanity of the fake tree towers. Most fakes I have seen use uniform length branches - extremely unnatural. My understanding is that the tower needs to be about 20' above the tree tops for good signal strength if you are on the top of a hill. Sometimes I have seen the fake tree concept work really well but most times it is just visually jarring. Ask for specifics on alternative placement (top of farmers barn, church steeple, etc.)
Good Luck!
Anonymous Poster
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Re: Cell Tower
Good point, AMP762. I remember my dad saying "If you want privacy, buy it". This was in the early eighties when interest rates were 12% or more. He bought his privacy in 400 acres in 12 tracts. Now we have lots of people who move in on a 3 acre lot and want to tell us how to farm, or better yet, what size lot to sell. Seems they all want to maintain that "rural look". Sure didn't bother them when thier basement was being dug.
Good point, AMP762. I remember my dad saying "If you want privacy, buy it". This was in the early eighties when interest rates were 12% or more. He bought his privacy in 400 acres in 12 tracts. Now we have lots of people who move in on a 3 acre lot and want to tell us how to farm, or better yet, what size lot to sell. Seems they all want to maintain that "rural look". Sure didn't bother them when thier basement was being dug.
dummy
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Re: Cell Tower
<font color=blue>If the farmer wanted to raise goats instead of cows, or if he wanted to open a roadside stand I wouldn't care, but a cell tower will cost me money.</font color=blue>
Why would a cell tower cost you money? Shouldn't produce a negative property value.
FYI, an agreement was made here with SprintPCS. 180 ft. monopole, they leased (not bought) the site. They are responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and repair (including mowing) of the roadway and site area to the landowners satisfaction. They pay for any tax increases also. At lease end, they are responsible for all equipment removal and returning the site to it's previous condition. It's easier to see the tower coming up the road than it is from the backdoor.
The reason for the meeting is probably to get zoning approval. What is the whole area zoned for now, residential/agricultural? AT&T is probably looking to get a non-conforming use variance.
Don't let the neighbors get you too excited about the issue. Go to the meeting with an open mind and see what the AT&T people have on their agenda.
Our local real estate prices didn't plummet because of cell towers..
<font color=blue>If the farmer wanted to raise goats instead of cows, or if he wanted to open a roadside stand I wouldn't care, but a cell tower will cost me money.</font color=blue>
Why would a cell tower cost you money? Shouldn't produce a negative property value.
FYI, an agreement was made here with SprintPCS. 180 ft. monopole, they leased (not bought) the site. They are responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and repair (including mowing) of the roadway and site area to the landowners satisfaction. They pay for any tax increases also. At lease end, they are responsible for all equipment removal and returning the site to it's previous condition. It's easier to see the tower coming up the road than it is from the backdoor.
The reason for the meeting is probably to get zoning approval. What is the whole area zoned for now, residential/agricultural? AT&T is probably looking to get a non-conforming use variance.
Don't let the neighbors get you too excited about the issue. Go to the meeting with an open mind and see what the AT&T people have on their agenda.
Our local real estate prices didn't plummet because of cell towers..
MikePA
Super Moderator
Ir sounds like there are 2 major issues;
1. Visually unappealing - not much you can do about this, unless ATT agrees to erect one of the better 'fake tree' towers. We have high tension lines about 1,500' down the road from us. We can see them from our place. For better or for worse, high tension lines and cell towers have become part of the rural landscape. I'm sure at the beginning of the century people didn't like the telephone poles that were popping up all over the place. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
2. Property values - Lowered property values (if they do occur) would lower your property taxes, a plus. The downside, if they actually do drop, will only affect you if you're planning on selling. Are you?
I agree with those who have advised to attend the meeting(s) and get some facts about what will happen in this particular situation.
1. Visually unappealing - not much you can do about this, unless ATT agrees to erect one of the better 'fake tree' towers. We have high tension lines about 1,500' down the road from us. We can see them from our place. For better or for worse, high tension lines and cell towers have become part of the rural landscape. I'm sure at the beginning of the century people didn't like the telephone poles that were popping up all over the place. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
2. Property values - Lowered property values (if they do occur) would lower your property taxes, a plus. The downside, if they actually do drop, will only affect you if you're planning on selling. Are you?
I agree with those who have advised to attend the meeting(s) and get some facts about what will happen in this particular situation.
My opinion, go and fight it, but be realistic about what the outcome might be and how much it might cost you to loose. Cell towers are an eyesore and they have no place all over in rural america if you ask me...want to live in the country, then you might be forced to give up some of the big city amenities like seamless cell-phone coverage...who cares...does anyone really need to be on the phone all the time? Have you ever listened to some of the idiots that have a need to feel very important cause they are on there phone all the time?
How many conversation have you overheard at walmart of mcdonalds etc while people feel a need to be one the phone even while they shop...pretty lame.
Your best bet may be to make a feeble attempt to stop this tower, but GET INVOLVED in your local town boards (zoning, planning, conservation etc) and make it harder for the NEXT company that comes along and wants to pollute your visual space in order to line there own pockets. Unforuntaltey, almost everyone assumes that SOMEONE ELSE is going to do the work to prevent these type of enchroachments in the future...guess what, there is not.
I saw a bumper sticker I liked the other day "VOLUNTEER...AFTER ALL THE WORLD IS RUN BY PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP".
Unlike some others, I think a cell tower in sight of your house could reduce your property values..lor at least reduce the number of people that would be interested if you want to sell. I know I wouldn't buy/look at a house if I needed to stare a cell tower everyday.
Just my two cents
Good luck
How many conversation have you overheard at walmart of mcdonalds etc while people feel a need to be one the phone even while they shop...pretty lame.
Your best bet may be to make a feeble attempt to stop this tower, but GET INVOLVED in your local town boards (zoning, planning, conservation etc) and make it harder for the NEXT company that comes along and wants to pollute your visual space in order to line there own pockets. Unforuntaltey, almost everyone assumes that SOMEONE ELSE is going to do the work to prevent these type of enchroachments in the future...guess what, there is not.
I saw a bumper sticker I liked the other day "VOLUNTEER...AFTER ALL THE WORLD IS RUN BY PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP".
Unlike some others, I think a cell tower in sight of your house could reduce your property values..lor at least reduce the number of people that would be interested if you want to sell. I know I wouldn't buy/look at a house if I needed to stare a cell tower everyday.
Just my two cents
Good luck
Re: Cell Tower
bigdave,
Well Guess that another example why I wouldnt want to live east. around here $400K gets a 6000sqf home in the city.
In the country It gets you 100 or more acres, big house and lots of out buildings.
You should have enough to do on your onplace. Let the neighnor do what they want on theirs.
bigdave,
Well Guess that another example why I wouldnt want to live east. around here $400K gets a 6000sqf home in the city.
In the country It gets you 100 or more acres, big house and lots of out buildings.
You should have enough to do on your onplace. Let the neighnor do what they want on theirs.
MDNick
Gold Member
Robert, Watching the light change from white to red is one of the new rural games at my folks. Rates almost up with the bug zapper and the hummer jug. You'll know what that is if you live in a rural area. Of course that cell tower is 1/2 mile away. Can't really even see it, except for the light. My folks were contacted by a company doing installs for PD/fire/rescue towers. Wanted to put on up on my folks property at one time. Were told they didn't pay as well as Verizon/AT&T. Must have fell through.
Never had a need for a cell phone, don't want one, don't need one. So a tower has no benefit to me. But some people seem to have this plastic growth on their ear, and if some broke farmer can benefit from putting up a tower, and it staves off his selling out and growing houses for even a year, I am all for it. Which is something to consider. That $20k may pay off some bills the guy has (no idea, just talking here) and maybe he'll stay as a farmer and not as a house grower. Which would you like, one cell tower or 20 new neighbors?
Nick
Never had a need for a cell phone, don't want one, don't need one. So a tower has no benefit to me. But some people seem to have this plastic growth on their ear, and if some broke farmer can benefit from putting up a tower, and it staves off his selling out and growing houses for even a year, I am all for it. Which is something to consider. That $20k may pay off some bills the guy has (no idea, just talking here) and maybe he'll stay as a farmer and not as a house grower. Which would you like, one cell tower or 20 new neighbors?
Nick
rmacan
Member
Maybe they can camouflage the tower. They recently built one a couple miles away from us and the county made them cover it so it looked like a silo. The top is fiberglass so the radio waves can get through. If you didn't know what it really was it looks (at least from the road) like an old barn silo.
cstocks
Platinum Member
Hmmm, that's food for thought, Nick. I believe I would take one cell tower over 20 new neighbors any time and every time! Kinda gives me the creeps just thinking about 20 new neighbors! Ever think about that, Big Dave? Maybe having a new cell tower as a neighbor is not such a bad concept after all...
fishman
Veteran Member
Yes that is something to think about. My folks live in a lightly urbanized area about 10 miles from a 100k population center. They had a water tower/office put in place nextdoor and at the time weren't too thrilled. However, with houses sprouting everywhere it looks better and better every year. There's nobody there on the weekends, so barbeques and the like are much more private than they otherwise would be. Also, they hire a grounds crew that keeps things mowed really nice.
I really don't think it has lowered their property values at all. Now if that same property had been used as a trailer park (no zoning laws against it!) that would have been another story.
Also, one has to compare that neighbor to the two in the back. of the property. One has a prefab home that he replaces about every 5 years. He's not bad, and runs a couple of horses to keep things interesting. On the other side is a nice home that was built in the most ridiculous orientation, almost as though they were trying to make it ugly. Add that to the fact that they placed their septic pond about 20 yards from the edge of the property, and don't keep up their side of the fence, and you've got bad neighbors.
Oh, and how about the neighbor on the other side (left, front) of the property. They have an old shed that really needs repair. Because it isn't quite on the property line, they stack all kinds of junk on the back side of it. They can't see it, but we sure can. I mean, comeon, looking down the front yard sloping gently down to the highway about 100 yards away, with huge old sugar maples and flower beds, and then there on the left, an old shed with car fenders, and scraps of wood and brick piles. They also thoughtfully have been dumping chemicals on the edge of their property, killing a nice-sized dogwood that was actually starting to hide some of their mess.
Enough ranting. At least with a corporation, they generally abide by environmental rules and you don't feel too bad about chewing them out if necessary. It's probably a lot easier to deal with them than with neighbors.
I really don't think it has lowered their property values at all. Now if that same property had been used as a trailer park (no zoning laws against it!) that would have been another story.
Also, one has to compare that neighbor to the two in the back. of the property. One has a prefab home that he replaces about every 5 years. He's not bad, and runs a couple of horses to keep things interesting. On the other side is a nice home that was built in the most ridiculous orientation, almost as though they were trying to make it ugly. Add that to the fact that they placed their septic pond about 20 yards from the edge of the property, and don't keep up their side of the fence, and you've got bad neighbors.
Oh, and how about the neighbor on the other side (left, front) of the property. They have an old shed that really needs repair. Because it isn't quite on the property line, they stack all kinds of junk on the back side of it. They can't see it, but we sure can. I mean, comeon, looking down the front yard sloping gently down to the highway about 100 yards away, with huge old sugar maples and flower beds, and then there on the left, an old shed with car fenders, and scraps of wood and brick piles. They also thoughtfully have been dumping chemicals on the edge of their property, killing a nice-sized dogwood that was actually starting to hide some of their mess.
Enough ranting. At least with a corporation, they generally abide by environmental rules and you don't feel too bad about chewing them out if necessary. It's probably a lot easier to deal with them than with neighbors.
Bird
Rest in Peace
<font color=blue>Now if that same property had been used as a trailer park (no zoning laws against it!) that would have been another story.</font color=blue>
/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gifAnd like everything else, it would depend on the trailer park. I have a daughter living in a trailer park now (in Coppell). Across the street is a fairly new elementary school, and the other three sides of the trailer park are surrounded by nice homes; and probably not a single house within 3 blocks could be bought for less than $250k. And of course the trailer park is meticulously maintained, and apparently none of the neighbors have any objection to living next to a "trailer park." While I don't know for sure, I believe the trailer park was there before those big homes were built, or there would have been mindless objections to putting in such a facility. My daughter bought a mobile home there for one reason; she wanted her son to go to school in Coppell and there was not a home to be had in that town for less than $110k (and believe me, you probably would not want anything in that town that cost less than $200k and there are very few of those).
/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gifAnd like everything else, it would depend on the trailer park. I have a daughter living in a trailer park now (in Coppell). Across the street is a fairly new elementary school, and the other three sides of the trailer park are surrounded by nice homes; and probably not a single house within 3 blocks could be bought for less than $250k. And of course the trailer park is meticulously maintained, and apparently none of the neighbors have any objection to living next to a "trailer park." While I don't know for sure, I believe the trailer park was there before those big homes were built, or there would have been mindless objections to putting in such a facility. My daughter bought a mobile home there for one reason; she wanted her son to go to school in Coppell and there was not a home to be had in that town for less than $110k (and believe me, you probably would not want anything in that town that cost less than $200k and there are very few of those).
Good question. My property backs-up to school property, so I know that it's safe from development. The farms around me are supposedly in conservation, but I assumed when I bought my land that eventually the conservation period would end, and houses will stand in the place of those farms. So, I accept that outcome, but I'm on the high ground and surrounded by my woods, so they won't be in my face. My scenario isn't 20 houses or cell tower, it 20 houses or 20 houses and a cell tower.
I guess, I originally made this post because I really didn't know how to feel about this. I initially figured that there was nothing I could/should do, but my neighbors are fired-up, and I feel I'm being a bad neighbor if I don't act. I plan to go to the meeting, and I'll try to keep an open mind. I plan to interupt my holiday visiting and drive down from NY, since they planned the meeting two days before Christmas. I guess my gut tells me something is wrong about this because the county has called a public meeting. There must be some issue that caused someone concern. There wasn't a public meeting when they decided to redo our intersection at our one and only traffic light. They have been working on that intesection for several months and I'm still not sure what they are trying to do. I've asked at the businesses at the intersection, and they don't really know either.
I've never met this "poor" farmer, so for all I know he may be daddy warbucks. I rented a house from a poor farmer, but he drove a new Cadillac and she drove a new Mercedes, and they had a second home up in Nashville, so that they didn't have to drive home after a night in the big city. They were up in age and didn't have any kids, and my wife really wished they would have adopted us. Think of the tractoring I could do on a thousand acres or so...actually it may become work after awhile...nah. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
I guess, I originally made this post because I really didn't know how to feel about this. I initially figured that there was nothing I could/should do, but my neighbors are fired-up, and I feel I'm being a bad neighbor if I don't act. I plan to go to the meeting, and I'll try to keep an open mind. I plan to interupt my holiday visiting and drive down from NY, since they planned the meeting two days before Christmas. I guess my gut tells me something is wrong about this because the county has called a public meeting. There must be some issue that caused someone concern. There wasn't a public meeting when they decided to redo our intersection at our one and only traffic light. They have been working on that intesection for several months and I'm still not sure what they are trying to do. I've asked at the businesses at the intersection, and they don't really know either.
I've never met this "poor" farmer, so for all I know he may be daddy warbucks. I rented a house from a poor farmer, but he drove a new Cadillac and she drove a new Mercedes, and they had a second home up in Nashville, so that they didn't have to drive home after a night in the big city. They were up in age and didn't have any kids, and my wife really wished they would have adopted us. Think of the tractoring I could do on a thousand acres or so...actually it may become work after awhile...nah. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
fishman
Veteran Member
Well, yes you're right Bird. When my wife and I were first married, my parents gave us a small little trailer on a lot in the nicest trailer park in Missouri (in my opinion). Very well taken care of, with a small park and a community lake. Surrounded by a orchard that the owner also operated. Not to badmouth all trailer parks, but in general, they do have a negative impact on home values.
BigDave,
I see having the school butting up to my property more of an anoyance than a cell tower. Limits what I can do with my Guns on my own property. Have to deal with kids roaming behind the school.
As for trailer parks, Ill take nice person in a tailer park, Trasshy or not, over a snob in a big fancy house.
I see having the school butting up to my property more of an anoyance than a cell tower. Limits what I can do with my Guns on my own property. Have to deal with kids roaming behind the school.
As for trailer parks, Ill take nice person in a tailer park, Trasshy or not, over a snob in a big fancy house.
PitbullMidwest
Platinum Member
When we bought our property from my wife's grandma we weren't going to move onto it until we were ready to build but after the bank foreclosed on the house we were renting and would only give us a month to month lease we bought a trailer.
From the get-go we had problems with a local developer who wanted to build a golf course across the road from us. He felt that a mobile home that close to his property would drive his value down and would prevent the "world class look and feel" of his course. Two of the five members on the zoning board were investors in the project and refused to remove themselves for conflict of interest. On all 7 votes concerning our property the votes were split 3/2 in our favor.
Each time the Zoning Board concluded that we were within our local codes to occupy the property and that we had the same right to use our property as we saw fit as the developer had to use his land for a golf course.
The land owner's rights should always come first IMHO.
From the get-go we had problems with a local developer who wanted to build a golf course across the road from us. He felt that a mobile home that close to his property would drive his value down and would prevent the "world class look and feel" of his course. Two of the five members on the zoning board were investors in the project and refused to remove themselves for conflict of interest. On all 7 votes concerning our property the votes were split 3/2 in our favor.
Each time the Zoning Board concluded that we were within our local codes to occupy the property and that we had the same right to use our property as we saw fit as the developer had to use his land for a golf course.
The land owner's rights should always come first IMHO.
Stonewall
Silver Member
You mentioned a couple of schools in the area. Here in sunny Colorado there are a number of primary, middle and high schools that have leased out their roofs for cell towers and are augmenting their budget with the funds from these leases. I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS THINK THAT CELL SIGNALS WILL ROT YOUR BRAIN. I don't know what the latest studies show but the school districts put the cell towers on the schools in spite of these concerns voiced by some parents. I don't know where you stand on the issue but you might see if the schools would like to host the tower(s). And if some of you are wondering - I am NOT the devil.
turnkey4099
Elite Member
My take on it is most assuredly not popular. It is that if you are using a cell-phone you have no complaint coming. The tower has to go in someone's back yard.
Harry, the curmudgeon, K
Harry, the curmudgeon, K
TedLynn
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I agree withyour take on it completely. Ted
weedsportpete
Silver Member
In Upstate NY the power companies are starting to develop programs to speed up the process of getting wireless service antennas installed on power line towers. Its already being done, but in the past it has taken so long that the cell companies build their own instead of waiting. But now the power companies are more competitive and quicker, so maybe there is an alternative, i.e. get the cell antennas located on an existing (power line tower) structure.
Pete
Pete
