EDISON — Verizon Wireless will be able to build a telecommunications facility at the ShopRite plaza on Route 1 after receiving approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Verizon was granted a use variance for the rooftop facility, which is not a permitted use in the township’s general business zone.
At the board’s April 14 meeting, experts testifying for Verizon spoke of the need for the network mode telecommunication facility as the company seeks to increase capacity and handle local area demand for the 4G LTE network.
In responding to board members’ questions, the representatives said that even though they would likely need additional facilities like the one proposed, they were looking at their technology and existing facilities to see if there are ways to limit the number of new structures that may be needed in the future.
The facility, which will be 32.6 feet in height, will be located at least a few hundred feet from the nearest residence, according to Verizon’s team. It will only serve Verizon — not competitors such as AT&T.
Leonard Sendelsky, chairman of the zoning board, asked about the need for the site to meet Edison’s property maintenance code. He said there were issues regarding dumpster maintenance near the ShopRite, and suggested that the approval be conditioned upon the cleanup of the area.
Verizon representatives said they preferred that cleanup was not a condition, since it was not related to the placement and administration of the equipment. The board ultimately encouraged the applicant to connect with the landlord on the issue.
During the public comment period of the hearing, resident Frank Marotto asked if Verizon could co-locate on a nearby tower instead of constructing a new one. Linda Marotto expressed concerns about the potential healthrelated issues of having the technology fewer than 1,000 feet from residences.
Verizon representatives addressed both concerns, explaining the various infrastructure and technology issues that made co-locating not feasible, and stating that the level of energy emitted is significantly under the legal threshold and less than that of other antennae in the area.
The board voted unanimously to approve Verizon’s site plan requests.
Verizon’s experience during the April 14 meeting stood in contrast to the company’s other recent hearings before the board. Verizon has been seeking to have a tower placed at Festival Plaza on Route 27, but the project was met with objections from residents. The board denied the Festival Plaza plan in April 2014, but Verizon challenged the decision in court and a judge remanded the case back to the board.
The fate of that project is currently on hold, pending clarification from a judge.