Township: More Info Needed on Cell Tower Bid

T-Mobile will not be able to proceed to hearings on plans to construct a cell tower on the grounds of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church until further documentation is provided to the township or representatives request waivers to avoid filing some of the required information.

The zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously declared T-Mobile Northeast LLC's application to construct a 120-foot, tree-style monopole at the Grandview Avenue church incomplete Thursday, based on a recommendation from Boswell Engineering, the township's consulting engineers.

Mike Kelly of Boswell, in attendance in place of Peter Ten Kate, said T-Mobile and its representation will "need to either provide us with the information or request waivers" in saying the application fell short of board standards.

The application requests several variances to construct a monopole with nine panel antennas that would be housed within a 50-foot by 50-foot telecommunications compound containing three equipment cabinets. The installation would be shielded by an 8-foot chain link fence.

T-Mobile has sought the placement of a monopole in Wyckoff to better serve its existing customers, a representative has said. The pole would allow the telecommunications company to "provide the reliable, high-quality service they rely on everyday to stay connected with friends, family and emergency services," said Jane Builder, T-Mobile's northeast senior manager of external affairs.

However, township code does not allow the placement of a tower anywhere except on property owned or leased by the township. As the St. Nicholas land is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church, a use variance is needed. Additionally, the proposed 120-foot pole far exceeds the township's maximum height requirement: 35 feet. Finally, the pole would be placed a bit closer to the curb than the township would like, with the front-yard setback at 36.5 feet instead of the required 40 feet.

Attorney Constantine Stamos of Price, Meese, Shulman and D'Arminio, a Woodcliff Lakes-based firm, is representing T-Mobile; he could not be reached for further comment on how he plans to address the board's concerns.

However, documents filed by the legal firm with the zoning board provides T-Mobile's justifications for seeking a monopole in that location, which would "address its lack of adequate radio signal in this portion of the township.

"The property... is particularly well-suited for the proposed use. Important factors which support a grant of variance relief include the following: the site is centrally located... permitting the applicant to provide wireless communications services where there is currently a deficiency and gap in service; the subject property is adjacent to a state highway (Route 208); a tree-style monopole would blend into the character of the site and surrounding vicinity."

The application goes on to state that such a pole would have a "minimal impact on the community" and "will not have a negative aesthetic impact on the surrounding community."

Township representatives will have their say in the latter matter, as Boswell's report on application deficiencies states that T-Mobile must submit its plans for Design Review Board examination.

Boswell also listed numerous reports that should be filed with the application, including the following:

• A list of any prior variances issued on the property;
• A landscape plan;
• A statement allowing board representatives access to the property for inspection;
• A copy of any protective covenants or deed restrictions; 
• A grading plan showing proposed elevations;
• A written certification from a licensed engineer stating the pole's placement will not result in stormwater runoff;
• Documents showing the location, type and size of catch basins and utilities;
• Documents showing the location, type, size of all existing curbs, sidewalks, driveways, fences, retaining walls, parking spaces.

Church pastor Father James C. Moulketis was not available for comment Monday.