The West Windsor Planning Board will continue a hearing on Wednesday, May 27, for an application by T-Mobile Northeast to permit the location of a wireless communications facility at an existing electricity transmission tower located southeast of the intersection of Penn Lyle Road and Cedar Street.##M:[more]##
The application for minor site plan approval was initially discussed in March, but the issue was carried over after residents raised health concerns associated with having a cell tower transmission facility located near their homes. Residents also requested that the Planning Board give them time to research the issue on their own, and so that they could look “at possible real estate appraisals and also secure counsel from experts in this area,” said Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner.
The township has retained an expert on radio electric transmission at the community’s request, said Gardner.
Currently, there is a PSE&G tower at that location, and “they’re just going to add on to improve service in the general area.”
According to Planning Board documents, T-Mobile’s facility will consist of nine wireless communications antennas attached to a tower insert installed within the existing 111-foot tower, and extending 6.5 feet above, bringing the total tower to 117.5 feet. The proposal states that “the communication equipment will be contained in an equipment shelter located within a proposed compound also enclosing the tower with an 8-foot tall fence.”
Gardner says that the Planning Board will have to weigh two issues — whether T-Mobile complies with state and federal requirements, and whether the addition will impact the health of the residents in the area.
