They Offered Me $500. We Got $60,000. Here's How We Did It.
If a representative from your cell tower company knocked on your door tomorrow, handed you a $500 check, and asked you to sign a document, what would you do? Most landlords would say thank you and sign, making a very expensive mistake. This is the true story of Eastside Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and how Pastor Gary Kiehlbaugh turned a $500 "courtesy offer" into a $60,000 settlement.
The Setup: Unauthorized Construction Pastor Kiehlbaugh's church already had a cell tower on the property, and they were working with Cell Site Appraiser (CSA) to complete the sale of their cell tower lease. Suddenly, heavy equipment arrived, digging a 50-foot trench and pouring a permanent concrete pad for a new DISH power transformer—all without the church's permission.
Shortly after the digging finished, a DISH representative contacted the Pastor, offering a $500 check for the inconvenience and asking him to sign what they called a "simple easement".
The Hidden Trap Instead of cashing the check, Pastor Kiehlbaugh called CSA. CSA's founder, Clarence McDowell, reviewed the fine print and discovered the true nature of the document. DISH was attempting to retroactively approve unauthorized construction and secure a perpetual easement, which would bind the church and future owners forever. Furthermore, the document included a stealth maintenance clause requiring the church to maintain a 4-foot clearance around the new transformer.
Crucially, Clarence pulled the church's original lease, which explicitly required the tenant to obtain prior written authorization before beginning any construction.
Turning the Tables Armed with this knowledge, CSA went on the offensive. Clarence contacted the tower company, Crown Castle, and issued a formal default notice for the unauthorized construction.
Because the church hadn't signed anything and had documented property damage from a build that violated the lease, they possessed "Tier 4" maximum leverage. Facing the terrifying prospect of a lease termination, the telecom companies were forced to negotiate.
The result was a $60,000 cash settlement—120 times the original offer. As Pastor Kiehlbaugh noted, this blessing arrived just before Christmas and allowed the church to finish constructing a much-needed community youth center.
What You Should Do CSA estimates that at least 40% of all currently paying cell site leases contain errors and omissions, representing massive untapped revenue for landlords. If you receive an unexpected easement offer, you should follow these steps:
Do not sign anything or deposit the check. Accepting the payment can be legally interpreted as your implied consent to the easement terms in some jurisdictions.
Pull your original lease. The rules regarding the carrier's footprint are in your original lease and its amendments.
Ask the hard questions. Is the easement perpetual, and does it force you to maintain their equipment?
Call a specialist. Contact a firm that works exclusively for landlords, like CSA, instead of general real estate attorneys or the carrier's representatives.
About Cell Site Appraiser (CSA) CSA is a wireless consulting firm that works exclusively for cell site landlords and has over 30 years of combined wireless leasing experience. Since 2017, CSA has secured over $10 million in cell tower value for landlords all over the US. If you have a cell tower on your property, you can reach their 24/7 helpline at 213-986-7620 or visit cellsiteappraiser.com to request a free, no-obligation lease review.
Disclaimers:
PLEASE NOTE: CSA summarizes publicly available information from business news outlets, financial analyst reports, industry trade publications, and federal court filings. All claims are attributed to their original sources and cited throughout. CSA analysis represents our professional interpretation of these publicly available materials and constitutes commentary and opinion on industry developments. Property owners are encouraged to review the original cited sources independently and consult qualified legal and financial advisors before making decisions regarding their lease agreements.
Results described reflect specific client outcomes. Individual results vary based on property type, location, tenant, and lease terms. Pastor Gary Kiehlbaugh is a CSA client and shared his experience with permission. CSA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. © 2026 Cell Site Appraiser. All rights reserved.