Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-December 8, 2010 Issue

Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 8, 2010 MIDLAND PARK Holiday GIFT GUIDE Vote imminent on ﬂagless ﬂagpole tower at Sears site The Midland Park Zoning Board of Adjustment is expected to vote this week on a proposal to erect a telecommunications “flagless flagpole” antenna in the parking lot of the Sears shopping center at 80 Godwin Ave. Testimony on the application concluded last month after months of meetings, but the vote was put off because the board attorney was not in attendance to instruct the board on its options and a full board was not present to vote. Prior to making its decision on the application, the board must also decide which location on the three-anda-half-acre site it will vote on. The board’s planner in conjunction with the applicants’ planning expert recommended a location 6 ft. from the rear of the stores (barber shop, nail salon, jewelry store and a now vacant store) adjacent to Columbia Bank on Godwin Avenue. The original application proposed siting the structure eight feet farther back into the parking lot. Another location explored by the applicant at the suggestion of the board was the grassed island in front of the Sears store. The application for the 120-ft high stealth tower antenna is a joint venture between Verizon Wireless and T-Mobil Northeast LLC. Originally the two companies had separate applications for 90-ft. towers, with T-Mobil seeking permission for its antenna in the parking lot of the adjacent building at 44 Godwin Ave. The board recommended the two get together with the town’s planner and decide on one site to satisfy both their needs. The board also recommended increasing the height of the structure so as to be able to accommodate four, or possibly five, co-locators instead of two if the application is approved. The antennas are housed in canisters at the top of the monopole so they blend in with the overall appearance of the exterior of the pole and create a less obtrusive visual impact. The property is in a B-3 zone, which allows business retail and office uses. A use variance is needed, however, because cellular towers are permitted uses only on municipally-owned property. The Firehouse/DPW garage property on Greenwood Avenue is the only site in town zoned for such towers, and a 150-ft. tower has been there for more than a decade. The applicants also need setback variances to accommodate their equipment structures at the base of the monopole. Verizon’s equipment shelter needs 99 sq. ft. , and T-Mobil’s cabinets require 25 sq. ft. An on-site natural gas generator required by Verizon would be located on the Sears roof. Five parking spaces would be lost to accommodate the applicants’ needs. Nevertheless, planning expert William Masters said he favored moving the structures six feet closer to Godwin Avenue behind the existing masonry structures, and that the six feet be used to create a berm and plant cypress trees as an additional buffer. Masters said he did not favor erecting the equipment shelters at the rear of the property because it would cut into the existing buffer against the residences. He recommended that the evergreens behind the masonry buildings be replaced as well. Kathel Brennan of Rea Avenue objected to any additional variances being granted for parking. She said variances had already been granted for the Dunkin’ Donuts, which has become a nuisance to the neighborhood because it is open 24/7. Jack Gauger of Colonial Drive objected to granting any variances, saying that laws are put in place to protect citizens. He called the proposal “a horrendous tower that you’re about to put in the center of my town.” Rick Mohovich, also of Rea Avenue, objected to the visual impact of the proposed structure and said it would affect property values in the area. He likened the monopole to the one at the 7-Eleven in Waldwick. “It is “ugly, ugly, ugly. It will be smack-dab in your face, right on Godwin Avenue,” he said, suggesting that the A&P property at Goffle Road and Lake Street would be preferable. Mohovich also expressed chagrin that all board members were not present to hear resident comments, noting that reading the transcript is a poor substitute. The board’s meeting at which summation statements on the application will be heard is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building. �� Premium �� 201-444-9995 �� MOONLIGHT SALE Wednesdays & Thursdays 5-8PM through Dec. 24, 2010 May not be combined with any other offers. �� OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM–6PM �� Open until 8PM Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat �� Fresh Cut Trees All Merchandise 20% off �� SANTA’S HELPER �� COUPON COUPON �� SANTA’S HELPER SANTA’S HELPER � �� COUPON SANTA’S HELPER COUPON �� SANTA’S HELPER � �� COUPON �� SANTA’S HELPER COUPON �� SANTA’S HELPER �� Live! Plant It! �� COUPON �� SANTA’S HELPER COUPON Sign up for E-Notices The Midland Park Recreation Department is encouraging residents to keep up to date with important community news and notices and recreation events by registering to receive this information on-line through e-notices. To sign up for this free service, visit www. mpnj.com, click on E-Notices, and select the community organizations from which you wish to receive e-mail. “Out of 7,700 residents in Midland Park, we only have 550 residents registered at present,” said Recreation Director Lori Dent. “I’m hoping to bring that number into the thousands, which will help the recreation department and the community save time and money!” ��