City Quits Cell Tower Re-zoning Proposal; Residents Vow Continued Opposition

SEA ISLE CITY – Mayor Leonard Desiderio announced in his Jan. 21 “Mayor’s Message” in the city’s newsletter that the administration will recommend withdrawal of the rezoning ordinance it presented for adoption at the Jan. 5 City’s Council meeting.
Desiderio explained that the city was taking the action “After receiving negative feedback from a number of property owners regarding the proposed re-zoning and potential placement of a cell pole at 63rd Street.”
For over one year, the Herald has reported the ongoing saga of Verizon Communication’s efforts to erect a wireless telecommunications tower pole in the city.
The company avers that the tower is necessary to ensure reliable cellular data service for residents and visitors especially during the summer.
City administration initially recommended placing the pole within Dealy Field, in accordance with current zoning provisions.  That site, adjacent to the city maintenance building located west of the Little League field, was approved by both city council and the planning board. 
However, according to Business Administrator George Savastanos, due to the anticipated difficulties in securing additional state and federal approvals required on the Dealy field site, Verizon suggested that an alternate site would be preferable. It did so with the understanding that its cellular needs were limited to specific city locations. 
Based on that statement, the administration presented the ordinance to re-zone the city-owned property directly to the south of Dealy Field (westward of the 63rd and Central intersection) from a residential zone to a public zone.
The Herald reported, soon after the decisions the first week of January by the planning board and council to move forward with the 63rd Street site that residents were organizing to oppose the site. The city’s decision to withdraw the rezoning ordinance is a result of that opposition.
“We’re still opposed to placing this pole anywhere on the island,” said resident Robert Forte, who is spearheading residents’ initiative to have Verizon find a site for its tower away from the city.
“Regardless of the city’s decision to not pursue the 63rd Street location we are still going full tilt against placing the Verizon tower on Dealy field or elsewhere in Sea Isle City. We have over 150 residents who have signed a petition to support this position and we intend to have at least 30-35 people attend the Jan. 26 Council meeting to make sure Council members understand our opposition,” continued Forte.
In the city newsletter’s “Mayor’s Message,” Desiderio further explained withdrawing the re-zoning ordinance introduced Jan. 5: “For all intents and purposes, this will essentially eliminate the ability to place a cell pole at the 63rd Street location. This does not eliminate the potential placement of a cell pole at the original site within Dealy Field previously approved by city council and the planning board.”
Early last year, during the public comment portions of several council meetings, numerous citizens spoke out against the Dealy Field location noting it is a location where children play and it is zoned as a park not a commercial location.
Thus, the upcoming council meeting should prove to be a timely forum to continue the discussion of where, if at all, Verizon will be allowed to place its desired cell tower.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.