Politics & Government
Cell Tower's Impact on Property Values Still in Question
Zoning board rejects residents' request for 90-day delay and will hear testimony on Sept. 20.
After rejecting on Tuesday night a request by two Overlook Drive residents to delay the T-Mobile cell tower hearing until November, the Bridgewater Township zoning board offered them the opportunity to present their expert testimony at the Sept. 20 meeting.
Joseph Kirk and Janelle Bryant asked for the delay in order to allow an expert to testify on the impact the application for the 125-foot tower at the Green Knoll Volunteer Fire Co. would have on property values. That expert and his report, however, would not be available until Nov. 15.
“It’s important information the board needs when balancing the positive and negative criteria,” Kirk said.
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T-Mobile attorney Gregory Meese objected, stating, “This matter has gone on now for over a year. The applicant’s been very cooperative with the board and the public, trying to answer each and every question that’s been presented along the way.”
Kirk responded, “We are trying to make up for lost time because of T-Mobile’s failure to provide this information. I understand Mr. Meese doesn’t want to extend this forever. T-Mobile itself is responsible for some of this delay. It was their obligation to bring this evidence to the board.”
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Meese argued that the applicant is not obligated to provide information on the impact on property values.
Board members voted 7-1 not to postpone the application 90 days, with several members expressing their unwillingness to wait an additional 90 days. Board Member Felipe Pedrosa, who opposed the motion, moved to allow any such testimony to be presented at the Sept. 20 meeting, which board members unanimously supported.
T-Mobile is seeking a variance to build the tower on the fire company property in order to cover an estimated 1.7-mile gap in its coverage area, mostly in spots on Foothill and Crim roads and North Bridge Street. The fire company has also requested permission to build a 5-foot antenna on top for the tower to improve dispatching capabilities.
The board also completed the questioning of Timothy Kronk, the applicant’s planner, by members of the public. Among the issues raised was the visual impact of the tower and the application’s relevance to the township’s Master Plan.
The board is scheduled to hear public comment on the application at its Sept. 20 meeting.
