Decision on Cell Phone Tower Delayed

There was heated debate but no final decision about a possible new cell phone tower before the Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night.

  The proposed 100-foot tall monopole would be owned by Metro PSC and a company called North Shore Towers Inc. and would be placed between West 10th and West 11th Streets in Huntington Station.

About 50 people,  including several members of the neighborhood,  opposed the proposal.  In the end, the board decided to table the matter after hearing more than 90 minutes of passionate testimony from both sides.  It is not known when a decision will be announced.

Metro PCS is attempting to address a coverage gap of approximately one square mile according to the papers it filed with the Zoning Board.  Its attorney, Alfred Amato of Amato & Associates of Garden City, testified that more than 66 sites in the area were considered but all of them were ruled out because they would not meet the coverage requirements of his client.   He requested a special use permit to allow the pole and relief from the fall zone requirements.

Amato indicated that this particular kind of pole would be no more than 100 feet off the ground and is designed to collapse in on itself rather than fall outward, thereby preventing harm from coming to the surrounding area.

Local residents were represented by Andrew J. Campanelli of Campanelli & Associates of Garden City.  He raised several arguments about standing and the alleged failure of the owner of the property, George Valentino, to maintain it as required by the Town of Huntington.

There were also several safety issues raised, including the fact that there are sidewalks and three bus stops within the fall zone of the proposed tower which would pose a safety hazard for local residents and vehicles passing through the area should the tower collapse.  He also indicated that the new tower would alter the look of the area because it is roughly a 10-story structure while no other building in the neighborhood is more than two stories tall.  He also said the issue was more one of money than coverage as Metro PCS would make a profit renting the tower out to as many as five other companies.

Campanelli said, "The only place that would be worse to put this tower would be in a school yard."

Lance Anderson, who lives  near the site of the proposed tower, also testified in opposition to the tower.  He described the property as "a disgrace" to the neighborhood and includes a solid concrete wall that is not safely maintained and was so full of graffiti that the town board ordered it to be whitewashed. 

After all evidence was submitted and rebuttals were heard, testimony on the matter was closed and the decision was tabled.  When it is taken up again, a final vote is expected.