Town revises municipal code on cell towers

Huntington Town officials, for the first time since 1998, have revised the municipal code regulating cellphone towers.

The changes recommend, among other things, that any new cell towers be at least 500 feet from a school, preferably in a commercial or industrial area. Town officials earlier this year enacted a moratorium on new towers and antennas in order to study upgrading the code. The new rules go into effect June 1.

"With growing technology and the many cell towers that are going up so rapidly, there was a cry out from the community expressing concern about where they were going and how they were going up, and the aesthetics," said town board member Glenda Jackson, sponsor of the measure.

The amended code requires applicants to meet with the zoning board of appeals before submitting an application. It empowers the zoning board to require aesthetically pleasing structures be built to house the antennas.

The code requires applicants to demonstrate a need for a new cell tower, identify the location of current cell towers and prove that radio frequency emissions meet federal standards. Applicants also will be required to reimburse the town for independent reviews of applications and accompanying studies. If approved, cell tower facilities will have to undergo continued safety inspections.

The proposal would require cellphone companies to appear before the town board for approval to build on municipal property and hold a public hearing.

The board approved the new rules at their May 16 meeting by a vote of 4 to 1. Town board member Mark Cuthbertson voted against it.