It’s been nearly seven months since Verizon Wireless first approached Freehold Township — about 30 minutes west of Asbury Park, NJ – about constructing a 120-foot monopole tower in a residential zone. The carrier told the town on May 28 it wants to fill a coverage gap in the region and seeks municipal approval to build the monopole on a 1.91-acre parcel in a residential zone at 391 Monmouth Road (Route 537) near Francis Mills Road and Blueberry Hill, Freehold Township. The request was repeated during an October 22 meeting with the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. Towers are not permitted in the area so Verizon, doing business as New York SMSA Limited Partnership in this case, is seeking a use variance. The tower would be encompassed by a 50-foot by 50-foot fence would also hold an equipment shed, reports the Greater Media-owned Examiner newspaper.
The Examiner reported a radio frequency expert representing Verizon Wireless previously testified that the company currently has antennas at five locations in this section of Freehold Township and in neighboring Millstone Township and Jackson. The proposed tower on Route 537 will fill a gap in coverage on Route 537 and Francis Mills Road in Freehold Township, and on Paint Island Spring and Stillhouse roads and several other streets in Millstone Township.
Planner William F. Masters Jr. who testified on behalf of Verizon Wireless said the property being considered for the tower would be perfect – it’s close to major traffic areas, is located away from nearby homes, is fairly hidden by trees to block sightlines from residences, and is not in need of major clearing. Plus the property owner is willing to lease the property. A second possible location is further away from nearby houses but on heavily wooded property. Both sites would still need a use variance for the tower. Debate on the topic will continue when the Board meets again on December 10.
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