By Jen Koester, an insider at Lease Advisors
A common first response to the proposal to install a new cell tower is often, “Not in my backyard!” Many people have come to rely on the convenience of having social media, the internet, and text messaging at their fingertips, yet still oppose the structures that make all this possible. The most common complaints about cell towers are that the potential effects on health are unknown and that the structures themselves are an eyesore, ruining the aesthetics of the surrounding area. While only time will tell, many “experts” have maintained that there are little to no health risks associated with proximity to cellular sites. Meanwhile cellular companies have designed stealth towers in an attempt to invalidate the argument about aesthetics.
Recently, an Iowa church requested that a cell tower proposed for installation on their property be disguised as an eleven story tall cross. Despite the plan to design the tower to blend in with the natural architecture of the property, one local resident is completely against the tower saying that its color wouldn’t match the church’s exterior making it an instant eyesore. Even after she was told the tower would match the church, she quickly argued that the tower would also lower surrounding property values.
Stealth cell towers have been around for more than two decades and are only growing in popularity. Their disguises are no longer restricted to trees, but now include cactuses, flagpoles, stop signs, and water towers. Cindy Wishart, a spokeswoman for STEALTH Concealment Solutions Inc., says, “[People] always associate concealment as a tree. It’s just so much more than that.”
Scenic America, a nonprofit that works to preserve scenery along the nation’s roads, has opposed the construction of cell towers in the past. However with the advancements in cell tower disguises, the nonprofit has been more open to disguised designs. “We’ve been in favor of disguising them if you can and you can do it well,” said spokesman Max Ashburn.
Karen Smith, a Verizon spokeswoman, states, “People constantly need more data to do all the different multimedia applications that are now part of their lives.” In order to accommodate steadily increasing data traffic, more cell towers need to be built. With every new proposal for a tower, stealth or not, there seems to be an individual or group of people who oppose the plans. However, one must admit that if aesthetics are the main concern, then a disguised cell tower is a more attractive option than a naked steel structure.
More often than not, the approval process to construct a cell tower is a complicated and difficult progression; however, landowners have a voice and can often negotiate the terms of the proposed structure, including its aesthetic. An experienced lease consultant like Lease Advisors can help you to negotiate these terms while addressing any concerns you may have about the structure and its effect on your property and the surrounding area.
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