Cellphone tower in my backyard or not?

**sidecar bob** · 20th January 2010, 13:26

As the owner & occupier of a industrial/ commercial property in Tauranga, a cell network approached me yesterday with a proposal to install a cell tower at the rear of my premisis.
The annual rent they have offered me for what is essentialy not much more than one car park size of land is lucrative to say the very least.
My concern is the potential health risk to the occupants of my property, which a member of my staff was not backward in informing me of.
Are there any, or is it a load of crap?
Cheers,
Steve.

**R6_kid:Me** · 20th January 2010, 13:42

It might hurt your eyes, but the money burning a hole in your pocket will probably distract you from the pain.

**Edbear** · 20th January 2010, 13:47

Actual technical data suggests that any health risk is about the same as carrying a cellphone around and no-one seems to be up in arms about that. It's another case of fantasy v.reality. It's not like having a power pylon in your backyard which is a very defininte health risk.

Trouble is, the knockers are so vocal that people generally have no idea what the truth of the matter is. You're fightning an uphill battle to get people to reason on the actual facts these days. The towers are not that pretty, but you may have to do some real PR work with your staff and neighbours over the safety of it.

**Mully** · 20th January 2010, 13:49

Talk to a real estate agent about what it'll do to the value of the property if you ever want to sell it. The offer might not be as generous as it appears. Plus what happens if they want access to it after hours (dunno if you have gates or not)

It's like artificial sweetners - there is apparently no evidence of increased danger to anyone. It's up to you to research and make your own decision.

**mashman** · 20th January 2010, 13:50

ooooo the bad bad microwaves... sterility was mulled over a while ago, as was brain frying, but not sure whether anything was actually confirmed. If there's a possibility that the workforce are worried about it, ask them.

**slofox** · 20th January 2010, 14:01

As others have said. The evidence is flaky but there are enough technophobes out there to make life unpleasant. Your staff may well kick up a shindy about it...

**sidecar bob** · 20th January 2010, 14:11

Originally Posted by Mully

Talk to a real estate agent about what it'll do to the value of the property if you ever want to sell it. The offer might not be as generous as it appears. Plus what happens if they want access to it after hours (dunno if you have gates or not)

It's like artificial sweetners - there is apparently no evidence of increased danger to anyone. It's up to you to research and make your own decision.

There is a relocation & re development clause & i can boot them out given the correct length of notice.
The property is highly unlikely to go on the market in under 15 years so not a huge issue there.

**p.dath** · 20th January 2010, 14:45

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

There is a relocation & re development clause & i can boot them out given the correct length of notice.
The property is highly unlikely to go on the market in under 15 years so not a huge issue there.

If it was me I'd probably take the cash ...

But why don't you pitch your employees concern to the Telco in question. I bet they have some rehearsed answers you could offer back to your employee.

**scissorhands** · 20th January 2010, 14:51

Health risks portrayed by the media usually end up in confusion and a war of unbalanced opposing sides usually ensues.

Health risks are real. Many of us could easily live to 120years old if we lived in an ideal enviroment....

Cell towers are just another one to add to the very long list, which begins with clean air, highly mineralized water and a reason to live

**Tank** · 20th January 2010, 14:57

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

My concern is the potential health risk to the occupants of my property, which a member of my staff was not backward in informing me of.
Are there any, or is it a load of crap?

Use some of the first months rent to buy him a tin foil hat

If you dont take it - they will probally just see the company next door. The guy is still going to be only X mtrs from the tower and you will be able to look over the fence and see the tower and think of all the $$$$ you are missing out on.

**scissorhands** · 20th January 2010, 15:04

Originally Posted by Tank

Use some of the first months rent to buy him a tin foil hat

If you dont take it - they will probally just see the company next door. The guy is still going to be only X mtrs from the tower and you will be able to look over the fence and see the tower and think of all the $$$$ you are missing out on.

Yup, then you will have the lower value property without the option to remove......bugger

**Str8 Jacket** · 20th January 2010, 15:13

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

There is a relocation & re development clause & i can boot them out given the correct length of notice.
The property is highly unlikely to go on the market in under 15 years so not a huge issue there.

Ensure that you check that you do not have to pay a fee of some sort should you give them notice. Surely they will have a minimum period of occupation on their agreement too?

**imdying** · 20th January 2010, 15:25

See if you can get a billboard on the tower too, then you can sell the space on that to one of the billboard companies for even more dosh

**twotyred** · 20th January 2010, 15:56

i would not have one in my backyard and I have installed them and work on cell sites regularly,the radiation issues near antenae are real(depending on how power settings are configured,they vary in strength quite a bit)

**JimO** · 20th January 2010, 16:02

Originally Posted by mashman

ooooo the bad bad microwaves... sterility was mulled over a while ago, as was brain frying, but not sure whether anything was actually confirmed. If there's a possibility that the workforce are worried about it, ask them.

he is a sidechair monkey so his brain is probabaly already fried, and sterility isnt so bad