By Cheryl Skinner

New Territory homeowner’s association Executive Director Susan Rash joined in the discussion blogs pertaining to the proposed cell phone tower. She seemed to have all the bases covered but residents say she is just touting what T-Mobile is providing and no independent research has been provided.

Rash said she was responding to concerns about the board of directors entering into an agreement on putting up a cell tower in the Maintenance Yard area off Homeward Way. The location is across the street (in back of) Blakely Bend, and on the other side of the water tank from Robinson’s Landing. “There are several reasons for the Board’s consideration of this matter":

1. Technology is constantly changing, and the new technology will enable our residents to have faster internet connections, as well as fewer dropped or missed calls. 

2. The radio waves produced by the antennas on this tower are the similar to that of any other radio or wireless devices you may already own. The antennas are FCC approved and do not interfere with other electronic devices.

3. The cell tower will generate some revenue for New Territory, which the Board is considering dedicating to our parks.

"The proposed color of the cell tower is the same color as a phone pole or a CenterPoint pole. The proposal is for the pole to be 120’ high. T-Mobile has provided us with some photo simulations, which you can access by clicking here. The Board will reconsider this matter at the Board meeting on March 15, at 7 p.m. at The Club. Please provide your comments or questions here or come to the Board meeting. You may also email the Executive Director at executivedirector@newterritory.org, who will compile all posted and emailed comments and provide them to the Board,” the blog written by Rash said.

She also included a number of links to the American Cancer Society, property value studies in the Houston area and photo simulations used by T-Mobile to show how the tower would blend in with the nearby housing. In actuality, the photos used by T-Mobile have not shown any adjacent housing.

While homeowners posting on the blog were cordial in their responses, they noted that all of the information came from T-Mobile and hardly provided them with answers to the questions that had been posed since they discovered the plan.

“...it is important to note that the property value survey that was done was prepared by an outside firm...on behalf of T-Mobile. I would trust the survey more if it had been done by an entity such as the Houston Association of Realtors or some other firm not directly connected with placing towers in residential neighborhoods,” said one New Territory blogger.

“...Our property values are going to be negatively impacted. She (Rash) makes a good point that studies being reported are furnished by T-Mobile. Hardly an unbiased source,” said another concerned resident.  

Residents plan to pose the questions in person at the next meeting—March 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Club in New Territory.

They are hoping they will be able to get more than “canned copy” to determine if the tower will be a benefit or hazard to the community.

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