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Cellular Towers Out Of Control

Queens rooftops are starting to look like something out of this world. But its not an alien invasion that has residents and local politicians up in arms, its the cellular phone antenna towers that seem to be multiplying on rooftops all around New York City.
"One morning we woke up and there were nine on the building right next to mine, but we didnt know what they were," said John Campos of the Astoria Neighborhood Coalition. "No one had been advised that there would be construction."
When the plans blew off the roof during the installation of the nine antennas at the 33rd Street location, and into a local electrical engineers backyard, the people living in the surrounding buildings called a meeting to discuss the antennas. From there, they began an investigation, first trying the Department of Buildings, which informed them that anyone can install a cellular antenna with a construction alteration permit.
They discovered that the telecommunication companies dont keep adequate data as to how many are installed and there is virtually no city or state oversight of their placement. A 1998 memo by the buildings commissioner exempted antennas from the residential zoning resolution, even though, according to Campos, the only city governmental entities that can change the zoning resolution are the Board of City Planning or the City Council by vote.
With no information on how many antennas had been installed in their neighborhood or what the health effects were, the Astoria Neighborhood Coalition launched a grassroots investigation.
"We drove around looking for them and we found close to 300 in a mile and a half radius in Astoria," said Campos. "Were in a city with more than 5,000 of these antennas emitting radiation. The people on 33rd Street are surrounded by 24 antennas. In New York City, the primary location of these antennas are on residential buildings."
When Astoria residents demanded a solution, not only for themselves, but for all New York City residents living in the shadow of cellular antennas, at a town meeting earlier this month, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris and Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. were listening.
"Knowledge is the key to providing reliable cell service and ensuring the safety of the public, and right now we have none," said Vallone. The residents dont know whats happening and it appears the city isnt even keeping track of these base stations."
The councilman is sponsoring Resolution 1124, calling for the City Council to hold an oversight hearing on the proliferation of cellular antennas, and their effect on community health and aesthetics. He has also called on the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to study the physical effects of extended exposure to multiple base stations.
Last week, Gianaris unveiled state legislation that would allow for regulation of the placement of the antennas included the establishment of a siting board, and would require cellular companies to show proof of need before construction. It would also require cellular companies to share towers with competing companies whenever possible, which would help ensure adequate coverage in the case that any adverse health effects are discovered. Meanwhile, he is calling for a four-month moratorium on new antennas and a state Health Department study.
"The placement of cell towers has become like the wild west," said Gianaris. "They are going up at a reckless pace and people have no idea theyre going up. The information is inconclusive about the dangers they might pose."
Nonetheless, Queens residents might end up seeing a whole lot more spacey growths appearing on their buildings. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Charles Shumer have called for more cellular antennas. Or maybe not. When Bloomberg joined Schools Chancellor Joel Klein in trying to put antennas on public schools, the proposal was knocked down by an advisory board.
"They knew the public would be upset about antennas going up in residential communities, so they took the public out of the loop," said Campos.