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Neighbor raises health and property-value concerns over proposed 47-foot communications tower
Summary
A resident told the council that a proposed 47-foot communications tower near Sunnyside could lower property values and cited recent studies he said show biological effects from electromagnetic radiation; he also questioned foundation footprint and potential impacts on natural springs.
Charles Knapp, a Lawrence resident, asked the council to scrutinize a permit application for a proposed 47-foot communications tower near Sunnyside, saying such structures can reduce nearby property values and raise health concerns.
Knapp said he had spoken to a realtor who told him “those types of structures in neighborhoods do reduce the value of property,” and he handed out materials to the council. He expressed concern about recent studies he said show non-thermal biological effects from electromagnetic radiation, saying the studies “point to adverse biological effects of EMR” and listed possible outcomes cited in his materials, including cognitive and developmental concerns.
Knapp also raised technical and site concerns: he said a 47-foot tower would require either a 15-by-15-foot or 18-by-18-foot foundation depending on soil, but the utility easement behind affected houses is about 7 feet wide, and he questioned how the developer would meet foundation requirements without affecting groundwater or natural springs.
Knapp said he had discussed permitting with building official Renee and asked the council to consider the materials when the permit is submitted to the building department. The tower proposal was not before the council for a vote; Knapp’s remarks were recorded during the citizens comment portion of the meeting.
