Q: How will this plan affect our parks and opens spaces?
A: Each macro tower would require a large, enclosed area of roughly 2,500 square feet at its base. The construction and ongoing maintenance processes will require the use of heavy-duty industrial equipment, likely driving much wildlife away and forever changing the character of our open spaces. Researchers have found that RF emissions and cell towers have negative effects on surrounding wildlife and ecosystems.
The city has not presented any environmental impact studies or information on how the towers will affect wildlife or the environment.
Q: Where would the City be able to place a macro cell tower if the current proposed amendment is approved, in terms of proximity to private properties? How tall could the cell towers be?
A: The ballot measure would authorize the city to increase the maximum height of cell towers in the village to 100 feet. At present, the city’s municipal code requires cell towers to be set back from adjacent property lines by as many feet as the tower is tall. However, the city has informed us that it plans to utilize “alternate setbacks” to locate the macro towers far closer to private properties. The tower in Woodie Hollow Park would be sited roughly 30 feet from a private property line. The tower in City Park would be roughly 35 feet from an adjacent private property line.
Q: Will the macro cell towers harm property values?
A: Yes. City staff acknowledges that the towers will harm property values of nearby residences.
The city has not presented any analysis of how the towers may impact property values and, ultimately, the city’s budget. Research indicates that cell towers decrease nearby property values by 10-30%; this effect can ripple out to surrounding neighborhoods, ultimately affecting even the value of properties that are not in eyesight of the towers. In addition, one of these towers would be installed less than 140 feet from the grounds of Cherry Hills Village Elementary School, which may concern some potential residential buyers.
There are roughly 360 homes within 500m of the three towers, and the median home value in Cherry Hills Village is around $3 million. A very rough back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests the towers could result in property value losses of over $100 million.
Q: Is it safe to live within 500 meters of a cell tower?
A: Cell phone towers emit low-level radiation. Some studies indicate this radiation is safe, and the FCC maintains this is the case; other studies have found negative health effects. Here’s how Ari Ballonoff, a Cherry Hills Village resident and radiation oncologist, characterizes the data:
“As more and more cell towers are being placed in close proximity to humans, more and more population-based studies are coming out suggesting adverse health effects associated with proximity to cell towers including, but not limited to, increased cancer mortality (especially lung, breast and cervical cancer), impaired cognition (specifically in children and adolescents), nausea, irritability, insomnia, and delayed fine and gross motor skills…If you read these references, the health effects extend to a radius of 500 meters around the cell towers (some references suggest 1000 meters).”
The city has said only that the towers will comply with FCC regulations. However, the FCC has not updated these standards since 1996, and numerous studies now suggest the FCC’s current regulations are insufficient. Based on evidence published since 1996, the World Health Organization has categorized this emission as a Class 2B possible carcinogen and the American Academy of Pediatrics has urged the FCC to revisit its standards.
For more on this topic, visit our page on the health and safety effects of the towers. You can also view and download Ari Ballonoff’s letter
here.
Q: Are children at risk when a cell tower is located next to their school?
A: As noted above, some scientists think children are especially vulnerable to the effects of RF radiation. In one study, researchers found that students exposed to high levels of RF via the presence of a base station near their school exhibited delayed fine and gross motor skills, as well as issues with spatial working memory and attention.
As a result of this research, some municipalities now require cell towers to be installed at least 1000 feet (or more, in some cases) away from schools. Concerned parents in districts across the country have fought to have cell towers on school grounds removed or relocated to a safer distance.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies cell towers as an environmental hazard and recommends school sites within 200 feet of a cell tower be assessed due to concerns about RF exposures and fall zones. The proposed site for one of these towers is roughly 140 feet from the grounds of Cherry Hills Village Elementary School.
Q: Will the city receive revenue from the towers?
A: Yes. The city will be paid lease revenue by the tower operator.
Q: Is there anything we can do to stop the towers?
Yes! Email the mayor and city council and tell them you oppose the towers.