Residents fighting plan to place antenna on top of Ridgewood church
NOVEMBER 24, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014, 12:18 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
About a dozen residents who live near the West Side Presbyterian Church are opposing a plan by Verizon Wireless to put a 3-foot cell antenna on the top of the cross, saying at a zoning board meeting Nov. 11 that it would change the character of the neighborhood.
The telecommunications company is asking for a use and height variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to build what they’re calling a “micro site” antenna at the location, 6 S. Monroe St., to help alleviate a significant gap in coverage.
The antenna, which is not permitted in a residential zone, would bring the total building height to 68.5 feet where 30 feet is permitted by law. Currently the building stands at 65.5 feet when measured to the top of the cross.
Initial plans from Verizon showed the building height with the antenna at 83 feet, which Verizon attorney Warren Stilwell said was caused by an error in measuring that has been fixed.
Because of the new, lower building height, radio frequency engineer Glenn Pierson said about 10 fewer houses would receive coverage from the previous estimate of a 700-home coverage area north of West Ridgewood Avenue on North Monroe Street, Beachwood Road, Monte Vista Avenue, Sheridan Terrace and other roadways. The coverage would not reach West Glen Avenue.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/group-fighting-plan-for-antenna-1.1140373
Like 3 feet makes a difference?
Its not as though a tower is going up.
I guess donations are down.
And these very same complainers probably do an equal amount of complaining about the crappy cell signal they get.
exactly!!
#3 you are 100% correct.
Putting an antenna on top of the cross just seems wrong.
I’m surprised the church is going along with this plan.
Why not have the antennae on some other part of the building if you must put it on the church.
The extra 3 foot by 2 foot box is going to change the whole dynamic of the neighborhood. This seems to be taking the NIMBY attitude just a bit too far….
I guess the almighty dollar is more of a symbol than the cross these days.
In order to appease the NIMBY’s, why not put the antenna on the roof of Ridge School?
Its a higher elevation and the town could use the revenue to keep taxes in check.