Minutes · Apr 20, 2017
April 20, 2017
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Mr. Penesso presented Map 3 of the proposed coverage centerline dated December 21, 2016 that was marked as Exhibit A-3 for identification and detailed what the proposed coverage would be strictly on the site. Mr. Penesso presented Map 4 of the composite coverage with a rooftop antenna dated December 21, 2016 that was marked as Exhibit A-4 for identification. Mr. Penesso referred to Exhibit A-4 and detailed it. He stated that a rooftop antenna does not provide the coverage needed. Mr. Penesso presented Map 6 of the Shillelagh site composite coverage dated February 12, 2017 that was marked as Exhibit A-5 for identification. Mr. Penesso referred to Exhibit A-5 showing the flag pole antenna on the Shillelagh site and detailed the gaps in coverage in the proposed location. Mr. Keller asked Mr. Penesso if they could put the antennae on the roof of the Shillelagh site’s existing building to achieve the coverage; he said no. Mr. Penesso said that they could achieve coverage northeast but not northwest or south of the proposed site. Mr. Grygiel asked Mr. Penesso if they would get the same coverage if the antennae were designed on the inside of the monopole; he said that it could be done but they would have to stack the equipment inside and the monopole would have to be taller and bulkier. Chairman Neuer asked if any members of the public had any questions for Mr. Penesso. Robert Giordano approached the podium and stated that he lives at 22 West View Road. He asked Mr. Penesso if he was aware that there was an application before the Zoning Board that was denied approximately seven years ago involving the fire house property that was mentioned in his testimony; he said no. Mr. Giordano asked Mr. Penesso if he was aware that there are antennae on the rooftop of 405 Northfield Avenue; he said yes. 11
Alan Sanders approached the podium and stated that he lives at 27 Old Salem Road. He asked Mr. Penesso if the monopole was higher would they meet their coverage objectives; he replied yes. Mr. Sanders asked Mr. Penesso why they are not making the monopole higher; he said there are other variables to making the monopole higher and they do not want it to interfere with the existing network. Mr. Penesso said that this is the minimum height to reach their coverage objectives and if they were proposing to make the monopole higher they would also have to ask for another variance. Andrew Russo approached the podium and stated that he lives at 24 Old Salem Road. He asked Mr. Penesso if there are other monopoles in the middle of residential areas in the City of Orange and South Orange; he said they are in various locations. Mr. Russo asked Mr. Penesso if the monopole is going to be the same type of pole that is located at Stagg Field that looks like an artificial tree. Mr. Quinn stated that this witness did not testify to that. Mr. Penesso stated that a “monopine” is a structure that looks like an artificial tree; he said there are various types of structures. Mark Koehne approached the podium and stated that he lives at 16 Fairview Avenue. He stated that he has an AT&T plan and asked Mr. Penesso why he gets good coverage in his basement; he said that he is probably getting reception from another pole. Mr. Koehne asked Mr. Penesso to explain more about the topography issue regarding the Shillelagh site; he said the topography drops as you go along Northfield Avenue and coverage skims over it. Mr. Koehne asked Mr. Penesso how much of the area that they are trying to get more coverage for is either a golf course or a reservation; he referred to Exhibit A-2 and detailed the residential area and golf course area that will receive more coverage. Mike Tormey approached the podium and stated that he lives at 81 Ridgeway Avenue, He asked Mr. Penesso if there were any other monopoles in the area that could meet their objective; he said no. 12
Mr. Tormey asked Mr. Penesso if they could utilize the monopine at Stagg Field; he said they already have twelve (12) antennae on that site. Mr. Tormey asked Mr. Penesso if there is a need to provide coverage in the reservation; he said yes. Mr. Tormey asked Mr. Penesso to describe the flag pole at the Shillelagh site that is used for antennae; he said it is a sixty three (63) foot unipole structure that has the antennae stacked inside of it. Mr. Tormey asked Mr. Penesso why they cannot build the monopole in another area near the Shillelagh site to meet their objective; he said because the topography drops too much and they would not be able to meet their objective. Joseph Wenzel approached the podium and stated that he lives at 22 Fairview Avenue. He referred to Exhibit A-1 and asked Mr. Penesso if they get AT&T coverage in the white area; he said yes, but it is unreliable. Mr. Penesso stated that they need coverage to work for all devices and not just for cell phones. Chairman Neuer called for a recess at 9:43 pm. Chairman Neuer resumed the meeting at 9:53 pm. Mr. Wenzel resumed his questioning as he referred to Exhibit A-1 and asked Mr. Penesso if they could “boost” the power in location that area; he said that there is no such thing as “boosting”. Mr. Penesso said they can lower the power but they cannot go any higher. Mr. Wenzel asked Mr. Penesso if they investigated any other site for the potential monopole; he said yes they investigated the fire house as a location. Mr. Wenzel asked Mr. Penesso if they looked at the Seton Hall sports fields on Prospect Avenue as a potential site; he said no. Mr. Penesso said that if they shift it to somewhere else they will have a gap somewhere else. 13:
Mr. Wenzel asked Mr. Penesso if they looked at southwest as a potential site; he said yes but the topography drops in that direction. Phillip Davies approached the podium and stated that he lives at 12 Fairview Avenue. He asked Mr. Penesso if Verizon also has this problem; he said he does not know. Mr. Davies asked Mr. Penesso why this area is so important to AT&T; he said because there is unreliable coverage in this area. Mr. Steinhart asked Mr. Penesso how far from a cell tower do you have to be to get reliable service; he said the rule of thumb is one mile. Mr. Steinhart asked Mr. Penesso what is the approximate distance from the monopole to the area that they want to reach; he referred to Exhibit A-2 and said one mile or so to the south. Ms. Gabry asked Mr. Penesso if there are any utility poles in the area; he said no. There were no further questions for Mr. Penesso. Mr. Quinn called his next witness. Petros Tsoukalas approached the podium and was sworn under oath. Mr. Tsoukalas detailed his professional background as a civil engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. Chairman Neuer stated that Mr. Tsoukalas is accepted as an expert licensed civil engineer. Mr. Tsoukalas presented sheet Z-1 of the site plan with a revision date of February 2, 2017 that was marked as Exhibit A-6 for identification. Mr. Tsoukalas detailed the exhibit and stated that they are proposing a monopole with a lightning tod on the top of it. He said that they changed the original proposed location of the monopole and moved it as far away as possible from the neighbors. Mr. Tsoukalas said that they added two parking spaces to make up for the two parking spaces that they will be utilizing for the location of the pole so they did not lose the two parking spaces. Mr. Tsoukalas presented sheet Z-4 of the partial site plan with a revision date of February 2, 2017 that was marked as exhibit A-7 for identification and detailed where they are placing the 14
equipment. He said that they will have natural gas generators as backup power and they will only run in emergency situations. Mr. Tsoukalas said that they will meet the DEP noise regulations. Chairman Neuer asked Mr. Tsoukalas if the generators were sound tested yet; he said no. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Tsoukalas if the generators will run at night; he said no. Mr. Tsoukalas said they will only run in emergency situations. Mr. Quinn stated for the record that they will perform a sound test as a condition of approval. Ms. Gabry asked Mr. Tsoukalas who will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping; he said AT&T. Mr. Tsoukalas continued his testimony and detailed the set-backs from Wiley Terrace. Mr. Tsoukalas presented sheet Z-6 of the antenna orientation plan with a revision dated of February 2, 2017 that was marked as Exhibit A-8 for identification and detailed the location of the monopole with the lightning rod on the top. He said that they are proposing to place twelve (12) - six (6) foot antennae on the pole and that no lighting is being proposed. Mr. Tsoukalas said the only signage being proposed are the ADA signs that Mr. Keller recommended that they replace in his memo dated March 6, 2017 and a do not enter sign at the parking lot exit. He said that they will also be adding traffic arrows at the parking lot entrance and exit. Mr. Tsoukalas said that the area is flat so there will be no water run-off. He said they will check the equipment once every four (4) weeks and that there are no audible alarms. Mr. Tsoukalas addressed the comments in Mr. Keller’s memo dated March 6, 2017. Item #1 — ADA signage is being replaced. Item #2 — Applicant’s attorney, Mr. Quinn, requested to amend the application and add an additional parking variance rather than create two (2) substandard parking spaces; Chairman Neuer granted the amendment and stated for the record that the amendment does not require additional notice. e Item #3 — Will comply and move the bollards. 15
¢ tem #4 — Will run a noise test post construction to make sure the decibel levels meet the requirements as a condition of approval. e Item #5 — The surface area will be gravel e Item #6 — Grading on the north side of the enclosure will be re-examined to address Mr. Keller’s concern that the flat area will trap water. e Item #7 — Mr. Keller asked if there were other options besides a monopole or a monopine; Mr. Tsoukalas said that the monopine will work the same as a monopole but it will not work on a flag pole. He said that the flag pole would have to be 140’ high to work. e Item #8 — The Planner will testify to where the topography limits the view of the monopole. e Item #9 — The monopole will be available for co-location of another provider. Item #10 — The applicant is open to having additional landscaping installed. Ttem #11 — Will comply Ttem #12 — Will comply Item #13 — Will install bollards at the curb line. Item #14 — Mr. Tsoukalas clarified Mr. Keller’s concern regarding the detail of the generator and said that the generator looks exactly like it does on the plans. Chairman Neuer noted the time and said that the Zoning Board ends their meetings promptly at 11:00 pm. Chairman Neuer said that there is a limited time that applications for wireless towers can be heard and asked Mr. Quinn if he is going to voluntarily extend the statutory “shot clock” for this application; he replied yes. Mr. Quinn asked to be carried over to the regular Zoning Board meeting held on June 15, 2017. Chairman Neuer announced that this application will be carried over to the regular Zoning Board meeting held on June 15, 201 and that no further notice will be required. The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Neuer at 11:04 pm. Adopted: May 18, 2017 Wi Jy, Rose DeSena, Zoning Board sheretar, 16
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- Sep 29, 2026
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