Board allows cell tower on fire station property

Sprint, Omnipoint will give Herbertsville Fire Co. space for equipment

BY DANIELLE MEDINA

Correspondent

BRICK — The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved Sprint Spectrum and Omnipoint’s joint application to build a new cellular communications tower on the Herbertsville Fire Co. property on Burnt Tavern Road.

At the board’s April 21 meeting, the applicants presented revised plans that incorporated the recommendations and comments made by board members at an earlier meeting on Feb. 18. Most notably, the communications tower itself increased in height from 112 feet to 129 feet and 6 inches to better the chances of other cellular companies co-locating on the tower, thereby reducing the need for future applications.

Additionally, the applicants said that no trees would be removed from the property and they would try to protect the existing trees, as well as enhance the landscaping on the site. Sprint and Omnipoint also agreed to add sidewalks to the front of the property on Burnt Tavern Road.

The applicants needed a use variance because towers are prohibited within a residential zone, or even 500 feet from a residential zone. The tower site is within a residential zone, but is 570 feet away from the nearest home.

Herbertsville Fire Co. had granted Sprint and Omnipoint the right to construct the tower on its property in exchange for space on the tower for its own communications equipment, as well as an unspecified amount of money. In addition to improving communications for the fire company, the tower would also help fill in gaps in coverage around the Greenbriar developments, the Garden State Parkway and west into Lakewood.

No members of the public objected to the application at either the Feb. 18 or April 21 meeting.

The board granted the application by a 6-0 vote. At least five votes were required for passage because a use variance was being sought.

"As we drive up and down the highway, these monopoles have become a part of the landscape," board member Dennis Raftery said in support of the tower.

"This would be an asset to the public and would enhance communications for the fire company," board member Nino Borelli added.