Hillsdale Cell Tower Battle: Council Approves 150-Foot Verizon Plan Near Elementary School, Mandates Public Town Hall
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, In a closely watched decision, the Hillsdale Mayor and Council have unanimously moved forward with a resolution that could pave the way for a new 150-foot cell tower in the Bergen County borough. Despite strong opposition from residents citing health, safety, and property value concerns, the governing body approved the measure during its December 9th meeting.
The planned cell tower, intended for Verizon Wireless operations, would be located on a portion of the municipal property at 183 Cedar Lane.
The Location: Too Close for Comfort?
The proposed site is sparking heated debate due to its proximity to vulnerable community areas:
-
Stonybrook Swim Club
-
Meadowbrook Elementary School
-
Senior Housing Facilities
-
Residential Neighborhoods
Residents voiced a number of serious grievances during the public comment section of the meeting, with many comments reflecting a petition circulated on Change.org.
Key Resident Concerns:
Potential health and public safety issues related to radio frequency emissions.
The anticipated decrease in home and property values near the tower.
The negative visual impact of a 150-foot structure on the suburban landscape.
The petition explicitly calls on the Borough to prioritize public health and “require alternative site evaluations,” arguing that suitable locations exist away from vulnerable populations.
The Resolution Passes—With a Critical Amendment
After an extensive discussion involving public comments and input from the borough’s telecommunications attorney and a radio frequency technician, the Mayor and Council voted to approve the resolution leasing the land.
Crucially, they added a mandate for public transparency by amending the resolution with a sixth section:
-
Public Town Hall Required: A public informational meeting (town hall) must be held before the final lease agreement with the developer is executed.
-
Purpose: The meeting will be used to receive public comment and present detailed information about the project.
-
Final Approval: The lease will not be finalized until after the town hall and a second vote by the governing body, taking into account the comments received.
Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfield indicated in a statement that this public meeting will likely take place in January, following the swearing-in of new council members. Construction cannot begin until the lease is fully executed and all necessary land-use approvals are secured.
What Happens Next?
The focus now shifts to the upcoming January informational meeting, which will be the last major opportunity for residents to influence the project’s final lease terms and location.
Residents interested in the specifics of the vote and discussion can view the full December 9th Council meeting on the borough’s YouTube channel.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
We heard that there’s some secret back room talk meanings regarding putting a cell tower down at Lakeview Drive at the compost dump. It’s very secret.
Happy holidays