East Coast update: a proposed wireless ordinance in Hempstead, NY has provisions similar to those in Glendale’s new ordinance. Citizens of several Long Island communities have been calling for restrictions on cell site installations to keep them away from homes and schools, and moratoriums, new restrictions and ordinances are in the works.
Yesterday’s Merrick Patch reported:
A proposed new Hempstead ordinance announced Tuesday morning, which still needs to be approved by the Town Council, is aimed at making telecommunication companies “meet the highest standard of proof in establishing the need for cell towers.”
One feature of the proposed law would be not allowing cell towers or antennas within 1,500 feet of homes, houses of worship, day care centers and schools, unless the telecommunications provider can prove the need for such a facility in that location. The legislation would also require wireless companies to provide documentation that proves the need for a tower or antennae, such as service gaps in the area, and to present a checklist to determine whether existing cell phone sites could accommodate additional equipment.
Two West Coast community fights over cell towers were also in the news this past week. Huntington Beach City Council just voted to ban cell towers in two city parks, after months of citizen protest over their initial approval without wide public notice. Although one already approved tower could be the subject of a lawsuit, the original cost estimate of $60,000 is problematic for the carrier:
Beyond the safety concerns brought forward by residents, some council members said T-Mobile misled the city with their original cost proposal for the tower.
City officials said T-Mobile came back with their plan and told city staff the Harbour View tower would cost up to $200,000, which violates a city rule – enacted by the public through local Measure C – that says any project in a park that costs more than $100,000 must be voted on by residents.
In Oceanside, parents at a charter school are trying to prevent installation of a rooftop cell site/microwave array. The Oceanside Planning Commission is also considering a new wireless ordinance, according to this North County Times report on the Clearwire/Sprint lease proposal for the Coastal Academy site:
The proposed ordinance regulating the location and appearance of cell towers would encourage clustering antennas on one site rather than erecting single antennas at multiple sites.
Mayer said the new ordinance might help the parents because the Planning Commission recommended that it include provisions to discourage placement of cell towers near schools, churches and day care centers. The Coastal Academy is next to a day care center.
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