Cell Tower Hearing Continues, Vote Possible

After listening to all testimony and hearing questions from residents, the zoning board is preparing to hear final comments, deliberate—and possibly make a decision concerning a proposed T-Mobile cell tower at the .

The application, which was first heard Aug. 3, 2010, is expected to come to a vote at Tuesday's special meeting, to be held at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal complex courtroom.

The application calls for a proposed 130-foot T-Mobile cell tower at the fire company, in the middle of a residential zone. The zoning board has heard testimony concerning radio frequency in a residential area, as well as the need for a tower to improve coverage in the area of Foothill Road.

But residents have expressed many concerns about the proposal, including the possibility of it lowering property values in the neighborhood, and the fact that T-Mobile has already said this tower will not satisfy all coverage issues.

T-Mobile has said it will need to come back before the zoning board for another tower in the future.

Residents have said that—with regard to the SICA balancing test, which is required to prove an inherently beneficial use when a use variance is requested in front of any zoning board—the application does not pass muster.

They have said it is too close to residences, will not satisfy all coverage issues and does not consider other options for improving coverage.

Residents have also expressed their distaste for the tower being built on the property of a fire company.

T-Mobile representatives have said other systems, like DAS, would not take care of the coverage issue.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m.