OPINION — As Fountain Hills approaches upcoming elections, residents should pay close attention to a proposal under consideration by the Town Council. The ordinance would allow wireless communication antennas as close as 300 feet from residentially zoned or occupied properties.
A 300-foot setback is not adequate and should not be presented as a meaningful safeguard for our community. Independent real estate analyses and market data, including findings cited in The Appraisal Journal and other industry reports, show that proximity to cell infrastructure can reduce residential property values, in some cases by as much as 20 percent.
Importantly, the impact is not limited to the closest property. If a cell antenna is visible from a window, backyard or street, neighboring homes can also experience reduced desirability and value. Visibility alone can influence buyer decisions regardless of distance.
