Controversial Cell Tower Application Delayed Again

Neighbors around First Street and Barnett Place have been instructed to take their significant others out to dinner on Tuesday night. It's a better option than what they'd previously had planned – holed up in , battling in their back yard.

Applicant attorney Frank Ferraro on Monday afternoon sent a letter to Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary Tony Merlino asking that the Tuesday night meeting be carried to a future date.

No reason for the delay was cited in the letter; Ferraro instead requested the application – revised from the one that first appeared a year ago – be heard in May. Those within 200 feet will be re-notified, Ferraro stated.

It's a small victory for neighbors.

"I am pleased with the delay as it allows us additional time to inform the public about this egregious application," said Eric Gross, an attorney who lives on Barnett Place.

In an e-mail Monday night, Gross said the village now has more time to determine a solution to the cell tower question, though his confidence that's realized remains low.

"To date the village has been asleep at the wheel and has provided no comfort to the residents of Barnett Place and Mulberry Street that they are actually working towards a solution," he said. "I can't express how disappointed the residents of these two streets are in our village leadership."

The village has the space to place a tower and could use the additional revenue that would be generated from a tower, he said, citing both fire houses as two potential "good" locations. Neighbors around Fire Headquarters on East Glen in 2011.

"Alternatively, they have the capability of having a constructive discussion with T-mobile about the to the alleged 'gap in coverage,'" Gross said. 

Ferraro could not be reached for comment Monday early Monday night. Merlino also could not be reached for comment.

The Board of Adjustment is scheduled to meet on May 8 and May 22.