Cell antennas approved

BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — The township Zoning Board of Adjustment recently granted approval for the placement of cellular antennas on a Route 18 site.

The board granted use and bulk variances, as well as minor site plan approval, to Metro PCS to locate antennas on an existing monopole tower on property that is home to the Route 18 Shopping Center, on Route 18 near Main Street.

According to a staff report from the township, the use variance was necessary because the tower is within 1,000 feet of residential property. The cell tower site, owned by the Route 18 Shopping Center Association, is located in the township’s highway commercial zone.

The plan includes the placement of six antennas on an existing 70-foot-high monopole, designed to appear like a tree. In addition, four equipment cabinets will be placed on an enclosed concrete pad. The pad will be 7-by-14 feet, and contain in a compound with fencing.

The general area is home to the shopping center and a racquetball club, as well as the tree monopole and a stealth monopole. The site is located between Route 18 and Old Bridge Turnpike, with residential properties to the north, and a gas station and stateowned property to the south. There are also residential properties along Old Bridge Turnpike and to the south.

Along the south side of the site are a half-acre of wooded property and a utility easement. Ingress and egress from the property is from Route 18 and Old Bridge Turnpike.

Bulk variances were needed for the maximum building height of the tower because only a 35-foot-high building is permitted. Also, the maximum lot coverage was exceeded by about 5 percent, and the fence height was 2 feet over the limit, the report said.

The board approved the application at its Oct. 2 meeting.