MANALAPAN – The desire to provide reliable coverage to its customers is driving Verizon Wireless’ application to construct a cellular communications tower on a residential property at 83 Millhurst Road in Manalapan, according to company representatives.
A cell tower 120 feet in height remains the best way to accomplish that goal, said radio frequency engineer David Stern, who continued his testimony during the May 18 meeting of the Manalapan Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Technical aspects of the application were discussed as Bruce Eisenstein joined the zoning board professionals who are hearing the Verizon Wireless application. Eisenstein is an expert in the area of cell tower and antenna siting.
New York SMSA Limited Partnership (Verizon Wireless) has filed an application with the zoning board seeking preliminary and final major site plan approval in order to construct a 120-foot-tall monopole with 12 antennas mounted on a platform. The monopole would sit in the center of a 50-foot by 50-foot equipment compound Verizon Wireless would construct on the 5.9-acre property.
Verizon Wireless requires a use variance because the proposed communications use is not permitted in Manalapan’s Rural Agricultural zoning district. The applicant also requires a use variance regarding the proposed height since 35 feet is permitted and 120 feet is proposed to the top of the monopole and 126 feet is proposed to the top of the lightning rod.
During previous testimony, Stern said the goal is to better serve an area along Main Street and Woodward Road; on Millhurst Road north and south of Main Street; and in new residential developments south of Main Street and Woodward Road.
On May 18, Stern named streets where Verizon seeks to provide reliable coverage. Those streets are Hedgerow Lane, Parsonage Way, Bloomfield Road, Cornwallis Court, Village Road, Bristol Road, Springhouse Circle, Deepwater Circle, Wintergreen Drive, Secretariat Drive and Cannonero Boulevard.
Stern discussed technology known as an Outdoor Distributive Antenna System (ODAS), which is also referred to as microcells, nodes and small cells. He said ODAS is typically used in hotels, airports, shopping malls, sports arenas, campus-like environments and some residential areas.
For technical reasons, and also due to the fact there are few suitable utility poles in this area where the small cells could be placed, ODAS is not viable and a cell tower at 83 Millhurst Road remains the best option to serve the gap in coverage, Stern said.
Board Chairman Stephen Leviton asked if, in lieu of constructing a tower at 83 Millhurst Road, small cells could be placed on residences to form a network that would serve the gap in the coverage area.
Stern said while that is technically possible, it might require Verizon Wireless to seek a use variance at dozens of residences where ODAS equipment would need to be placed and therefore is not a viable alternative.
“In my opinion, ODAS would not be a good solution for this area,” Stern said.
Attorney Robert Munoz, who represents resident Jack Eisner, asked Stern several questions about ODAS.
In response, Stern said he has placed small cells on buildings in some locations, but reiterated that for technical reasons, he did not believe that type of system is viable in this area of Manalapan.
Engineer James Murawski presented testimony and a site plan on behalf of Verizon Wireless and described the property at 83 Millhurst Road as being partially developed and partially wooded.
He said there are small sheds, trailers and storage containers on the property, several dilapidated barn structures, several dilapidated chicken coops and several free ranging goats that are contained by a fence.
Murawski said the proposed cell tower “will not encumber the goats” and he said the owner of the property directed Verizon Wireless to the area where the compound and tower are proposed. He said that location is approximately in the center of the parcel, some 230 feet back from Millhurst Road.
Existing vegetation would remain on site, largely shielding the compound from view from the road, according to Murawski.
The 2,500-square-foot compound would house equipment cabinets, the monopole and a small generator that would provide power to operate and recharge the site’s batteries in the event of a prolonged power outage, according to the engineer.
A canopy would be constructed over the equipment and an 8-foot-tall fence would surround the compound. Access to the equipment compound would be from the existing driveway on Millhurst Road that serves a residence on the property.
Testimony on the Verizon Wireless application is expected to resume at the board’s meeting on June 22.
