New E. Brunswick cell tower averted for now
Township officials
postpone vote on proposed tower at Bowne-Munro
JERRY WOLKOWITZ The East Brunswick Zoning Board has asked Sprint Spectrum to consider adding its antennae onto a tower already in place behind the East Brunswick Racquet Club, Route 18.
EAST BRUNSWICK — It appears as if the township has managed to avert construction of yet another cellular tower near school property — for now.
On Dec. 7, the township Zoning Board voted to postpone its decision regarding a Sprint Spectrum application to build a cell tower approximately 200 feet from Bowne-Munro school.
A new hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15, during which time Sprint may try to obtain a use variance from the Zoning Board, asking that an exception be made with regard to current zoning laws.
Since 1996, township zoning law has required that all cell towers be a minimum of 1,000 feet away from residential or school properties.
Before moving forward with seeking a use variance, however, board members have asked Sprint to consider building its tower closer to the East Brunswick Racket Club, Route 18, rather than the elementary school.
The racket club, they said, already has a cellular tower in place, which could actually help provide better coverage in the typically "static" Route 18 area.
Representatives for Sprint have agreed to look into the possibility. Sprint Spectrum first appeared before the Zoning Board Jan. 13 and is not alone in its battle to place a cell tower in the township.
A Cellular One tower, adjacent to Chittick Elementary School for the past nine years, has been at the center of controversy since October.
Residents’ concerns as to whether or not the tower’s emissions could influence the development of leukemia among children were somewhat appeased after township-funded testing of the tower in November concluded the structure to be "virtually harmless."
Later that month, township officials announced they would be going to court to argue possible zoning violations by Cellular One because of an excess of antennae on the tower. A June 18 court date has been set.
—Nicole C. Vaccaro

