New Cell Towers To Be Installed On Morristown Rooftop

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Following multiple zoning board hearings, New Cingular Wireless PCS LLC, formerly known as AT&T, received Morristown's approval earlier this month to set up a dozen antennae on the roof of a local apartment complex.

On Nov. 2, the zoning board voted to allow New Cingular to place its antennas near Verizon's antennas, which have been operating for several years on the six-story building formerly known as The Ambassador.

The new cell towers will be placed on top of the apartments located at 181 South Street.

The structure is planned to be enclosed behind a plexiglass wall, which will be painted and texturized to match the existing antenna enclosures, according to the zoning documents.

The company stated that a total of 12 antennas will be installed on the roof, with eight antennas located on the northwest corner of the building, at South and James, and four located on the east side of the building.

The applicant was requesting a use variance because the proposal sought to exceed the allowed number of antennas on a rooftop. Morristown's antenna ordinance also states that residential buildings should not be used unless necessary.

The combination of these factors is what caused the application review process to span multiple meetings.

Board members had also asked New Cingular to relocate its antennas to a higher point on the roof, out of sight. However, expert witnesses for the company testified that this would necessitate structural improvements, which would cause disruption to tenants.

The new towers should benefit both residential customers and motorists by filling coverage gaps along parts of Morristown, New Cingular said.