Old Brookville eyes cell tower moratorium

Old Brookville on Monday is to consider a six-month moratorium on the "approval and construction of telecommunication facilities" in light of a wireless technology firm's efforts to build an antenna network that boosts cell service on the North Shore.

The proposed local law would allow officials to put off even reviewing applications -- including a 9-month-old request from Crown Castle of Houston, to refit five utility poles with antennas and radio-access network, or RAN, boxes.

The ban would give officials time to study policies and hear residents' concerns, Mayor Bernard Ryba has said.

Ryba couldn't be reached for further comment on Thursday.

Crown Castle has applications pending with several neighboring villages -- including Brookville, Upper Brookville, Matinecock and Oyster Bay Cove -- to install antenna units in their rights of way.

The company has over the months made numerous presentations to the villages on its plan. It has faced vocal opposition from some residents who say the units are unsightly and potentially unsafe. Crown Castle experts have said the network radio frequencies are no more dangerous than those of microwave ovens.

Brookville is to hold a public hearing on its own proposed moratorium on July 24. Other North Shore villages are considering following suit.

"We have been attempting to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Villages," Crown Castle officials said Thursday in a statement. "We believe that timely approval of our applications is required under state and federal law, and is in the best interest of the Villages to facilitate enhanced, modern telecommunications services."

Old Brookville and Brookville have both hired telecommunications consultant Rusty Monroe, of the Center for Municipal Solutions, to draft ordinances that Monroe yesterday said will regulate "everything from structural issues to location to visual impact to height to safety issues."

Monroe, of Wake Forest, N.C., said he is also charged with reviewing telecommunications applications. "We'll be making recommendations on whether to grant a permit, not grant it or grant it with conditions," he said.

Muttontown last month became the first of the North Shore villages to approve the company's application to modify two utility poles.