HUNTNGTON, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — The town of Huntington has changed how they deal with cellular companies and cell towers.
The move comes after the town faced numerous lawsuits, complaints and anger from some residents who claim to have woken up one morning to miniature cell phone towers on the poles in front of their homes.
Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci says the previous administration approved the installation, but said residents now have a voice and when a permit application arrives for a cell tower, the town will be listening.
“This new plan allows the town to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to the deployment of cellular antennas,” Lupinacci said. “We wanna balance the need for coverage because we have significant gaps on our very busy roadways in the town. We wanna balance that with the residents' concerns about the placement of technology.”
Recently a permit for a tower was denied in Centerport at a church after hearing from residents and the cellular company representatives.
Lupinacci notes that the Zoning Board of Appeals conducted a four-hour public hearing on an application that was filed by AT&T, which had been seeking to increase the height of a church steeple, and was ultimately denied.
“Basically, the ZBA heard extensive testimony from concerned area residents, that at the close of the hearing the board members unanimously voted to deny the application in its entirety,” he said.