Lavallette, NJ officials put a pin in passing a new small cell ordinance, reported Shorebeat. For the past two years, Verizon has been allowed to install small cells on existing utility poles in town, but an official directive still needs to be implemented.
The new ordinance is designed to keep up with technology — 5G and beyond — but until it’s passed, some residents might continue to struggle with service. According to Shorebeat, customers of major carriers have complained about 5G bandwidth, manually switching to (lower) 4G speeds. As demand increases, so will capacity needs, necessitating additional small cells.
The details of Lavallette’s new small cell ordinance include the following:
- A permitting process allowing carriers to build new, dedicated smart poles to house infrastructure and colocate service.
- The installation of smart poles in the public rights-of-way with considerations including “decorative, disguised or camouflaged” aesthetics.
- Use of poles for public WiFi, emergency communications, or other public benefits.
- Size stipulations include no more than a six cubic foot enclosure with a maximum of no more than 25 cubic feet (including antennas).
- Location parameters require smart poles to be placed at least 200 feet apart.
- A wireless siting plan requires applicants to place new poles within 25 feet of previously specified locations.
- Fees equaling a $500 application charge and, if approved, a $5,000-$7,500 escrow deposit.
- Allowing the borough first right of refusal to place equipment, including 911 service, security cameras, public WiFi, etc., on privately-owned smart poles.
Regarding timing, once an application is filed, the borough must notify the applicant within 10 days whether their application is considered complete. The borough would then have 60 days to grant or deny a permit to place a wireless array on an existing pole or 90 days to decide on a new pole.
Although the new ordinance will “fill holes” in the current 5G law, Councilwoman Joanne Filippone isn’t satisfied. “There is much in that ordinance that is not in the best interests of Lavallette,” she said.
Filippone added that the ordinance would “allow more poles, not less,” considering the streamlined application and approval process. “I am vehemently opposed to the details of this particular ordinance … I would postpone it indefinitely if I could,” she said.
Shorebeat reported that since no vote was taken on the ordinance, it’s expected to go before the borough council again in the coming months.
Reader Interactions