By DON STINE
Residents living near the Robin Road area in Neptune were expected to turn out for a Board of Adjustment meeting, scheduled on Wednesday at press time, to voice their concerns about a new cell phone tower planned to be erected in the neighborhood by the Verizon company.
“I believe this is going to drastically reduce our property values. There are so many other spaces the tower could be placed and I question why here,” said Karen Mason, who lives on Cardinal Road- one block away from the proposed cell tower site.
Verizon is seeking several variances, including a height variance, to install a 110-foot tower which will have transmission and receiving antennae. A 12-foot by 30-foot equipment shed will also be built at the base of the tower.
The proposed site for the tower is off Robin Road, behind the ShopRite supermarket near Route 66.
The zoning board meeting was scheduled to be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Neptune Senior Center at Route 33 and Neptune Boulevard.
“I also have concerns about the effects these cell phone towers can have on health and I believe they are harmful,” Mason said.
Mason said the proposed site is an unlikely place for a cell tower because it abuts a residential neighborhood
She said there are other places nearby, like Seaview Square Mall in Ocean Township, that are more appropriate sites.
“Why did they choose this location when there are better ones around? It’s too close to a residential area,” she said.
Gary Brown, who also lives on Cardinal Road, said he doesn’t blame Verizon for wanting to improve their signal strength but that putting a 110-foot tower that needs a variance into a residential area is not right.
“It will be right in all of our faces. They are taking down large trees and putting up a cell tower. I don’t get it. I want to keep my area a neighborhood. I don’t want this right outside my window and there has to be a better location,” he said.
Brown said there are a number of light industrial sites off Neptune Boulevard that would be a better location.
“This is going to affect our property values and our quality of life. You can’t tell me that if it was (a Verizon official’s) home that they would do this. This is literally right out my front door.
“Now instead of looking at trees and birds, they are going to be gone and I’ll be looking at a 110-foot cell tower instead. I can’t see how Neptune would want such an eyesore here. A landowner may get money for the tower but it will have such a negative affect on the neighborhood,” he said.
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