CleoSiemper's Profile
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October 23, 2007
Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
Hi, I am drafting a contract to purchase a coop which has just leased roof space to a company to build a wireless receiver on the roof. I know other buildings have considered this - has anyone had experience with this. Obviously the pros are money, but what are the cons?
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We have a long term lease with Sprint which contributes over 25% of our operating budget.
If you want to know more you can email me.
The contracts are usually 5 years renewable by the cell company. Most companies pay between 1500 and 1700 per month.
Posted by: bonsavant at October 23, 2007 5:03 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
Bonsavant brings up the percentages. Most (if not all?) co-ops are only allowed to have 20% or less of their total revenues/operating budget come from non-shareholders. Meaning, if your co-op has a commercial space, the rent the co-op collects from it cannot contribute more than 20% of the co-op's operating budget. It's called the 80/20 rule, I believe.
So there's a limit to how much outside income a co-op can bring in from commercial rents and cell-towers.
And, of course, the brain tumors.
Posted by: chuck at October 23, 2007 8:08 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
How does one approach the cell phone companies to see if they are interested in our roof?
Posted by: guest at October 23, 2007 10:16 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
Cell phone tower radio waves are intermittant, and the blackberry in someones pocket or cell phone at their ear is almost definitely a much higher dose. Or maybe the wi-fi at starbucks. Of course, it's your decision, but if you love everything else about the apartment, you should really do some research about the potential tower effects. Some people can be alarmists, but probably don't have evidence to back it up.
From the American Cancer Society: "Cellular phones operate at the radiofrequency (RF) part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is non-ionizing radiation. Other examples of the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum include AM and FM radio waves, microwaves, and infrared waves from heat lamps. Unlike x-rays and gamma rays (which are examples of ionizing radiation), radio waves have too little energy to break the bonds that hold molecules (such as DNA) in cells together. Similarly, since RF of this frequency contains relatively low energy, it does not enter tissues. At very high levels of exposure, RF can cause warming of tissues, much as a heat lamp does. The wavelength of cell phone waves is about one foot and the frequency is approximately 800 to 900 MHz, although newer models may use higher frequencies up to 2,200 MHz."
"The energy from a cellular phone antenna, like that of other telecommunication antennas, is directed toward the horizon (parallel to the ground), with some downward scatter."
So, if anyone's still reading, your phone sends the signal to the tower, which then sends it off over our heads. Disclaimer: I'm not a cell phone provider, just an environmental scientist . . .
Posted by: Heatherie at October 24, 2007 9:03 AM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
This is also from the American Cancer Society:
"Cellular phone towers, like cellular phones themselves, are a relatively new technology, and we do not yet have full information on health effects. In particular, not enough time has elapsed to permit epidemiologic studies. There are some theoretical reasons why cellular phone towers would not be expected to increase cancer risk, and animal studies of RF have not suggested a risk of cancer. People who are concerned can ask for measurements of RF near cellular phone towers to be sure exposures do not exceed recommended limits."
That first sentence speaks volumes!
Posted by: Stanford at October 24, 2007 1:45 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
Co-ops yes, 80/20 rule. But not Condos. I should have stated condos.
Does anyone have lease info on cell sites to compare?
Posted by: bonsavant at October 25, 2007 4:07 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
However, RF waves are not exactly a new technology. . .
Posted by: Heatherie at October 30, 2007 10:19 AM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?
It's disappointing. I love the apartment, but I considering not signing the contract due to the cell towers.
Posted by: CleoSiemper at October 23, 2007 4:54 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?