Answers
Jan 24, 2023 - 03:31 AM
Hello,
Unfortunately without a zoning ordinance, tower developers (or any other type of developer/builder) are able to build communication towers where they want. I would estimate that 25% of counties do not have zoning regulations on towers.
I wish I has some solutions for you, but I don't. I will share some thoughts though, although I suspect they won't be of much comfort.
First, it sounds like the tower company has done more than many would. I don't mean this to suggest that they can't do more- just that the list of what you have indicated they have done is more than what other tower companies would have done.
Second, monopole towers can be designed with breakpoints where the tower is designed to collapse on itself before collapsing horizontally. It may provide some comfort that I am unaware of a single situation where a monopole fell over from the base. If there is a tornado or other weather event strong enough to cause the tower to fall horizontally, your house won't be there for it to fall upon. The more likely scenario is that the antennas on the tower would be pulled off the tower and could fall on the house.
Third, I agree that the value of your home is likely impacted by the proximity to the tower. Whether it is 10% or 20%, I don't know. I have reviewed studies on the depreciation of value on houses near a tower- and they are all over the place and they are specific to the area in which the study is done.
Perhaps someone else might have an idea I missed.
Ken
Unfortunately without a zoning ordinance, tower developers (or any other type of developer/builder) are able to build communication towers where they want. I would estimate that 25% of counties do not have zoning regulations on towers.
I wish I has some solutions for you, but I don't. I will share some thoughts though, although I suspect they won't be of much comfort.
First, it sounds like the tower company has done more than many would. I don't mean this to suggest that they can't do more- just that the list of what you have indicated they have done is more than what other tower companies would have done.
Second, monopole towers can be designed with breakpoints where the tower is designed to collapse on itself before collapsing horizontally. It may provide some comfort that I am unaware of a single situation where a monopole fell over from the base. If there is a tornado or other weather event strong enough to cause the tower to fall horizontally, your house won't be there for it to fall upon. The more likely scenario is that the antennas on the tower would be pulled off the tower and could fall on the house.
Third, I agree that the value of your home is likely impacted by the proximity to the tower. Whether it is 10% or 20%, I don't know. I have reviewed studies on the depreciation of value on houses near a tower- and they are all over the place and they are specific to the area in which the study is done.
Perhaps someone else might have an idea I missed.
Ken
Jan 25, 2023 - 01:40 PM
As an FYI- just as I said that monopoles rarely collapse fully- I am hearing of one that fell earlier this week in the Buffalo area. I will post more on this once it is in the news.
Add New Comment