Cell Tower

[BigDave]

We just got a notice from the county that they will have a hearing regarding a proposed 180 foot cell phone tower that the farmer across the street wants to let AT&T put up. I know it's not my land, so I shouldn't have the right to complain, but a 180' tower? We leave in a small one stoplight town, with a few businesses near the light - none taller than one story. This a rural area so there aren't many homeowners to complain. There are two schools that would be within a mile of the tower, but I don't know if that would matter at all. We already have AT&T cell coverage in this immediate area, and by the size of the tower, I assume they are trying to provide coverage for some areas pretty far from here. Any suggestions on how to fight this? Should I even try to fight this? Anyone have any experience with a similar situation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[alco141]

these things are popping up everywhere. seems like your neighbor must have the highest point of land in the area. i guess if you have some sort of zoning about this type of construction you could fight it.

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>Should I even try to fight this?</font color=blue>

Sounds like one of those,, 'as long as it isn't in my neighborhood' things. Personally, I don't use a cell phone so I could care less. Now if everyone complained about the towers in their neighborhood and they had to be removed. Well, there goes your cell phone service. Seems to me that everyone wants to use the service but no-one wants the towers in their neighborhood. Now if AT&T dropped by and told me that they would pay me that $900 a month to set a tower on my property I would gladly let them put it there. Sure would help out when I retire. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif My Father-in-law lives in S.La. and his neighbor across the road has one in his yard. He collects $900 a month and has great<font color=red> FREE</font color=red> cell phone service.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here in New Hampshire I know of at least one cell phone tower that they made up to look like a tree. A big huge evergreen tree with green branchs and all.
I have no idea what it's height is and I really don't think it looks all that bad. Of course it is not in my backyard either, which makes it a lot easier to accept.
If you can't stop this tower from going up, maybe you can at least get them to make it blend in, as much as possible.

 

[Thomas]

In my area one doesn't have to look very hard for a tower on a mountain top.

In some cases a tower necessary for the public safety..but not to long ago cell phones & cable tv weren't heard of,and now the towers are popping up like mushrooms.

Just read the fine print in which the company offering,so your area doesn't get stuck w/a eye sore for many years to come.

 

[cstocks]

How good is the coverage in your area? If they are adding another tower it sounds like AT&T is trying to improve signal reception in and around your little town. Lots of folks have cell phones these days and no one wants a cell phone that will not work because of dead areas between towers.

I wish someone would put up a cell tower near my uncle's place in Ark. I have to drive three miles and sit in my truck on the side of the road if I wish to make a cell phone call because there is no coverage in the countryside where he lives.

I understand your desire not to have your pastoral view ruined by a cellular tower but it could be worse. They could be putting in a landfill across the road!

 

[I_am_the_Walrus]

I second that $900 dollars a month,sure would be nice.

 

[DaveNH]

Dave.

Who do you think has deeper pockets?
The best that you can do is delay and then possibly
get your town to add a moratorium on new towers.
180 ft tower is huge and depending on what type,
several other carriers could add antennas to that tower,
eliminating the need for future towers.

There will be a zoning meeting that you can attend
and voice your opinion but then again, deep pockets
will prevail. Sorry, but that's the way it happens.

If I where you,
I'd put my energy into getting the tower moved
across the street to my land. As stated before, free service, a steady income as long as that technology
is in use.

The "fake"trees look stupid and stand out more than
a tower does. After a while you get used to seeing the tower, but that tree is always there.
Just my opinion!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

First of all, we were contacted by Verizon to have a tower installed on our land. This is the deal they offer everyone and other companies are the same. $20k for between .5 acre to 4 acres maximum if they have to have a fall zone. That is quite a bit of money if the farmer is stuggling so think about it before you throw a fit. Also, the farmer can still use the land under the tower so he basicly gets $20k for free. If someone was going to hand you a big chunk of change and your neigbor didn't agree with it and blocked you from getting the money wether you needed it or not would you be happy?

Also, 180' tower is the average size of a tower. They do this to keep away from a lot of Aviation restrictions and headaches. We didn't like the contract Verizon gave us so they put the tower in down the road and it is hard to see even though it is about a half mile away. There is a 1000' tower in front of our house on a hill about 10 miles away and that is also hard to see unless you see the lights. If you block the tower in front of your neighbor they will just move down the road and put it up on someone else's property and you will have made a enemy with your neighbor. It will be built no matter how much you complain which is what people are finding out all over the country now. Welcome to technology

 

[Robert_in_NY]

A lot of Cell companies no longer rent the land and give out free phone service because the people were abusing it. They now buy the land and don't have to worry about landowners.