FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Verizon Wireless has withdrawn an application from the Planning Board that proposed the construction of a cellular communications tower at 169 Robertsville Road, Freehold Township.
Attorney Lynne Dunn, who represents New York SMSA Limited Partnership (Verizon Wireless), sent a letter dated Aug. 23, 2017 to the township requesting to withdraw the application without prejudice for a 128-foot-tall monopole and associated site improvements.
Withdrawing the application without prejudice means it can be refiled at a later date.
On Sept. 7, the Planning Board accepted Dunn’s letter and her notification that the application was being withdrawn.
When news of Verizon Wireless’ plan to build a cell tower at 169 Robertsville Road came to the attention of the public earlier this year, residents in the neighborhood began to marshal their efforts in opposition to the plan.
No testimony regarding the cell tower was presented to the Planning Board by Verizon Wireless.
The property at 169 Robertsville Road was targeted for a cell tower by T-Mobile more than five years ago. The township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment denied the company’s application.
T-Mobile went to Superior Court and received permission to build the cell tower. The township appealed the decision. The Appellate Division upheld the Superior Court and approved a site plan for the cell tower.
On Sept. 11, Township Administrator Peter Valesi said that T-Mobile has never constructed the cell tower at 169 Robertsville Road and has not indicated to municipal officials if it plans to build the cell tower.