Jonathan Clancy, Shirley Lane
Your April 24 article, "Debated Carter Road cell towers receive Planning Board approval," creates the mistaken impression that township officials are acting responsibly in their efforts to construct cellular towers on the Carter Road site.
Planning board attorney David Roskos’ assertion that "the zone plan has to mean something" likely took many residents by surprise since he and the town council have turned a blind eye to that plan in their efforts to cash in on this vacant parcel. Mr. Roskos’ strict "letter of the law" interpretation is a marriage more of convenience than conviction: neither he nor township officials intend to follow the zoning ordinances faithfully.
First, the proposed parcel has a footprint of 2 acres, far short of the "200 contiguous acres" required for RD-1 zoning by the township’s Land Use Ordinance. Secondly, that ordinance requires a 300-foot setback for structures, making it impossible to use this site for these towers. This requirement is not arbitrary, but according to the ordinance is designed to "minimize [the] visual effect on the essentially rural character of the area." Lastly, in addition to ignoring these requirements, the township feels no burden to honor the requirement that "the tower will be set back from any property line a minimum of 110 percent of the tower’s height."
If the zone law truly means something, as Mr. Roskos suggests, perhaps it is time he urged the town council to adopt a plan appropriate for the site and consonant with the expectations of that neighborhood.
