Application for site plan approval and possible variance postponed
By:Vanessa S. Holt
CHESTERFIELD -The future of a communications tower in the township is still up in the air.
The scheduled June 27 Planning Board hearing on Sprint’s application for site plan approval and a possible variance was postponed because Sprint was unable to produce expert witnesses who could appear on that date, said Planning Board Solicitor Fred Hardt.
Several residents had come to the meeting to comment on that application. Bruce Banker, whose property is near the proposed communications tower site, asked the board when it had become aware Sprint would not be at that night’s meeting.
"It was on and off all day," said Mr. Hardt.
Sprint was "uncomfortable coming forward … without all their experts being here," he said.
The site plan places the 150-foot communications tower on the property of James Durr, who agreed to lease a section of his land to Sprint PCS for that purpose.
The proposed location has changed several times in the past two months. It was first proposed at a location about 60 feet from a neighboring property, and would have required a bulk variance. The new proposed location is on the opposite side of the property, said Planning Board Secretary Caryn Hoyer.
Residents would be renotified of the next hearing only if there would be a significant change in the application, said Mr. Hardt.
"We’re concerned we’ll show up to hear the pros and cons, and if they have cold feet, we could have to come here every fourth Tuesday," said Mr. Banker.
Hr. Hardt remarked that the "right to reasonable continuances" applied both to objectors and applicants, and that the matter would not drag on for months.
Following the meeting, Mr. Banker remarked that he and several other concerned residents had hired an attorney, Leo R. Zamparelli, to examine whether or not the communications tower could be considered a utility.
"It’s not a utility, it’s a structure," said Mr. Banker.