About ten years ago, when they first started figuring ways to disguise cell telephone towers, I found it interesting. I remember what a shock it was to me one day, when complaining about how stocky and out of proportion the flag pole was at the new fire hall, being told it was not REALLY a flagpole at all. It was there as a cell tower and the city was going to hang a flag on it... so there! The photo below does not have the flag in place, as they sometimes put it up and sometimes do not. But you can see that, cosmetically, the pole is more like an elongated can than a streamlined and attractive pole. They started doing this to hide the towers as they proliferated, in theory to keep them from impacting the property values of homes. There is still another group of people that is concerned that the radiation from the towers is a far bigger issue than looks. The camouflage probably quiets some of these people, too, as they do not know the cell tower is there unless they knew it was going in. Once you have seen one of these out of proportion flag poles, however, you can spot them a mile away. Far as I know, in my area, the only means being used to hide them is the flagpole....but I admit I could be wrong on that. I remember they were talking about a tree out in the county, not sure if they did that or not. In doing a bit of research, I found it amazing that some companies make their sole income coming up with unique designs that blend the towers into the surroundings -- from churches to wooded areas. Take a look at some of the creative towers at this link. Viewing Online, the trees look pretty authentic. It is hard to buy that they would look that good in person. Maybe some of you in real estate know of such towers in your community and can comment as to how they fit in and whether or not you believe they have any impact on property values.
Typical out-of-proportion flagpole
Main fire hall, Broadway
Thanks for tuning in,
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA home inspector
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The problem with the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) types is that they do want the service. If I am near the Potomac in Alexandria VA and dial 911, I am most likey to get a MARYLAND operator who then transfers me to the local Police non-emergency number. The non-emergency recording starts off "If this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911....." Feel like going in circles again?
Hmm,plastic trees that give better reception for cell phones... Yep, sounds like something AT&T would do.
Thanks,
Sugar Land, Tx
Where Life is Sweet
Steven: While I was driving on the George Washington Memorial Parkway a few years ago, my son told me he saw a weird tree. According to him, it had really funny looking branches. A few weeks earlier, someone had told me there was a cell tower disquised as a tree on George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. After my son pointed out the area a couple times - you know it's hard to focus on anything but driving when you're driving - I noticed it. By then leaves had been falling off the trees surrounding it. Yep, it was weird looking alright. The tree limbs looked like someone holding their arms straight out at their sides then bending their elbows and pointing their hands toward the sky. Nothing obvious about this.
So many people don't want cell towers near them. I've even heard of them in church steeples.
Steven, since my link is about your topic, I didn't think you'd mind. Check these out for some great photos of concealed six-carrier cell towers. http://www.utilitycamo.com/sites.html
Peggy,
Thanks. Those are just great. I love the cactus and the church tower.
Steve