Town approves T-Mobile cell tower in N. Bellmore

The Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved T-Mobile’s application for a proposed stealth cell tower at the North Bellmore’s Fire District’s north station at Newbridge Road and East Meadow Avenue.

The 100-foot monopole will replace a communications tower of the same height at the site. The communications tower was built in 1999 and measures 36 inches wide at its base and 16 inches at the top. The new monopole will be 42 inches at the base and 27 inches at the top. The cell tower was approved temporarily through October 2015, at which time it will be reevaluated, according to Town of Hempstead protocol.

In its notification, the board noted that the decision was a difficult one to make, stating, “The board recognizes the concerns of those persons appearing in opposition. However, this board has been placed in an unenviable position.” The letter cited the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which states that a local government “shall not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of personal wireless service.” Having pointed out at the hearing that the T-Mobile cell tower is needed for service, the board could not legally deny the application.

The cell tower joins the 150-foot tower that already stands at North Bellmore’s south station. The south tower was paid for and installed by Verizon Wireless, the main service provider. The North Bellmore Fire Department reaps about $130,000 in rent annually. That money is used for the fire district's annual budget, so North Bellmore residents pay less in taxes, as they have less to contribute less to the budget, Commissioner Pete Gibbons explained in an earlier interview.

T-Mobile will pay all expenses for the stealth tower to be installed at the north station. The North Bellmore Fire District will also receive rent from T-Mobile. Gibbons said that the rent from the new tower would likely be near $140,000 annually. That revenue would also come off the fire district's budget and reduce taxes for residents.

Comments about this story? DKrasula@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.