schools and T mobile

Why Care?

REDUCED PROPERTY VALUES

2010 NY Times article regarding home values in Wantagh, NY

2005 Sandy Bond/ Wang Study, NZ: published in the Appraisal Journal. The results of the sales analysis show prices of properties were reduced by around 21% after a CPBS (Cellular Phone Base Station) was built in the neighborhood.  Study of New Zealand sales prices in light of the country’s opposition and public attention to placement of a CPBS in residential areas.

2007 Sandy Bond Study, US: “The price of 2004 Florida properties within 200 meters (656 feet) decreased, on average, by just over 2%. Each geographical location is unique as evidenced by the difference in results from the NZ and US studies (…) partly due to the manifold factors that influence the degree of negative reaction to towers. Residents’ perceptions and assessments of risk vary according to a wide range of processes including psychological, social, institutional, and cultural.”  As the results reported here are from a case study conducted in 2004 in a specific geographic area (Orange County, Florida) the results should not be generally applied. Wolverton and Bottemiller explain that: “…limits on generalizations are a universal problem for real property sale data because analysis is constrained to properties that sell and sold properties are never a randomly drawn representative sample. Hence, generalizations must rely on the weight of evidence from numerous studies, samples, and locations,” Thus, to determine if the results are consistent across time and space many similar studies in different geographic locations would need to be conducted over time. Further, to allow valid comparison between them, such studies would need to be of similar design.

2003 CAROL C. McDONOUGH, PhD, The Impact of Wireless Towers on Residential Property Values: explains, perceived risks are a function of subjective risk factors as well as statistical risks; whether the source of the perception is quantitative or subjective, the effect on property values may be the same.

2003 Gaurdian UK article:  “Mast Sanity believes anecdotal evidence from its hotline indicates a mast will knock between 15 and 25 per cent off the value of a house, depending on how close it is and the size of the structure.  Melfyn Williams, chairman of the National Association of Estate Agents, said in some cases a mast could see a home reduce in value by between 5 and 10 per cent. ‘It is not scaremongering. It is more about a growing fear of the unknown of what the health risks are, especially among those with young children,’ he said.”

A NUISANCE: DESTRUCTION OF VIEW

The placement of a cell tower in a residential neighborhood is far from ideal.  Here is one “view” proposed by T-Mobile of the 15 Story Tower a.k.a. “Tree”:

Giant Redwood "Tree" Cell Tower

Giant Redwood "Tree" Cell Tower: View from highest point in our neighborhood.

 

PERCEIVED AND ACTUAL HEALTH CONCERNS

Perceived and/or actual health concerns to both local residents and the numerous students at two schools in the area.  Read more on the HEALTH issues page of our site.

LACK OF DUE PROCESS

Lack of due process regarding the private use of public lands.  Complete lack of discussion with affected communities.