So, the question has been asked; Why are the residents opposed to the 130' cell tower proposal at the Cranford Swim Club?
The Cranford Swim Club, is a private [members only] swim club which is located at 201 County Park Drive in Cranford, NJ.
It is directly adjacent to the very scenic and historic district [i.e. the Rahway River Parkway Historic District] of Lenape Park, across the street from Nomahegan Park and is located within a Residential Zone [R-1]. The Cranford Swim Club is also directly adjacent to several neighborhoods with many private homes. These towns include Cranford, Westfield and Kenilworth.
The proposed cell tower would extend approximately 60 feet above the tree tops showing up to 5 levels [60 feet] of antennas and other unsightly items.
It would dominate the entire landscape of our parks and all surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, it would drastically reduce the property values of homes as well as jeopardize the ability of homeowners in the area to insure and/or sell their homes.
Verizon is currently seeking EIGHT variances from the Cranford Zoning Board of Adjustment:
1. A variance to allow a cell tower to be located within a Residential [R-1] Zone. According to the Cranford Land Development Law 136-33K(6), towers ARE NOT permitted in any Residentially Zoned [R-1/R-2] area of Cranford;
2. A variance to allow a 130 foot tower where the maximum allowable height for any tower is 70 feet [Cranford Land Development Law 136-33K(10)] - This tower would extend approximately 60 feet ABOVE the existing tree tops;
3. A variance to have the tower setback only 14 feet from the nearest Property Line whereas under the Cranford Land Development Law (136-33K(10)(b), the required setback for a tower is 125% of the tower height; or in this case 162.5 feet;
4. Under the Cranford Land Development Law 136-33K(10)(c), the minimum required setback to a Residential [R-1/R-2] Zone for a tower is 300% of the height of the tower; 390 feet in this case. Verizon is trying to put the tower WITHIN a Residential Zone - not the required 390 feet AWAY from a Residential Zone;
5. A variance to allow a 345 square foot Equipment Shelter, which would exceed the maximum 200 square foot allowance under law for an Equipment Cabinet [Cranford Land Development Law 136-33K(12)(a)];
6. The required Front Yard Setback for an Equipment Compound/Shelter is 35 feet. Verizon is proposing the Equipment Compound/Shelter be only 15 feet from the nearest front Property Line [Cranford Land Development Law 136-30.6)];
7. The required Side Yard Setback for an equipment compound/shelter is 62.8 feet [10% of the lot width]. Verizon is proposing that the Equipment Compound/Shelter be setback ONLY 13 feet from the nearest side Property Line [Cranford Land Development Law 136-30.7]
8. The Cranford Swim Club is located in a single family residential zone (R-1 zone). Under Cranford Land Development Law 136-31B(6); the number of buildings are restricted in this zone. There shall not be more than one principal structure on each lot in the R-1 through R-5 districts. Because this property already has a principal use structure, Verizon is requesting a variance to allow more than one principal use on the Cranford Swim Club lot. [NOTE: Cell towers are NOT permitted as accessory uses OR principal uses in a residential zone!]
THIS TOWER WILL:
Consist of 4 to 5 Seperate Carriers and Levels of Antennas;
Require a Diesel Generator & 250 Gallon Fuel Tank;
Introduce Unknown Health & Safety Issues into the Immediate Area;
Require Immense Setback & Height Variances;
Drastically Reduce Property Values;
Impede the ability of area homeowners to insure and/or sell their homes;
Destroy the Atmosphere of the Adjacent Lenape Park & Nomahegan Park;
Destroy the Atmosphere of our Neighborhood;
Forever Alter the Character of the Township of Cranford;
Destroy the Natural Aesthetics of the Surrounding County Parks
A clear message must be sent to the Cranford Zoning Board of Adjustment, governing bodies and cell phone companies that cell towers do not belong near or around ANY residential areas.
I strongly urge everyone to sign our online petition and show your opposition to this proposed cell tower at the Cranford Swim Club.
Please also take a moment to pass along the link to this petition to anyone and everyone who would like to get involved!
We will continue to collect signatures until this application is DENIED.
Please take a moment to sign:
www.petitiononline.com/notocsc
Thank you so very much for your overwhelming support! We look forward to continuing a strong fight against placing cell towers in our residential areas!
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next Zoning Board Meeting!
PLEASE NOTE: THIS TOWER WILL BE PRECEDENT SETTING IN OUR TOWN. IF THE TOWNSHIP ALLOWS THIS TOWER AND ADJOINING EQUIPMENT COMPOUND TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE [R-1], THE FUTURE PRECEDENT WILL THEN BE SET IN STONE. THIS WILL OPEN A HUGE LOOPHOLE FOR OTHER CELL CARRIERS TO COME INTO OTHER RESIDENTIALLY ZONED AREAS OF OUR TOWN AND EASILY BE APPROVED TO PLACE A TOWER WHEREVER THEY MAY PLEASE.
WE HAVE ZONING ORDINANCES AND LAWS FOR A REASON. PLEASE SPEAK UP AND DEMAND THAT OUR ZONING BOARD UPHOLD THESE LAWS. THE MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD WERE PUT ON THAT BOARD FOR A REASON. THERE ARE ZONING ORDINANCES IN PLACE AND THEY CLEARLY DICTATE THAT THIS CELL TOWER IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE PROPOSED AREA OF THE CRANFORD SWIM CLUB.
STAND UP AND FIGHT CRANFORD! YOU DESERVE TO BE HEARD!
