By Matthew Monks
“What it will slow down is the irresponsible placement of cell phone towers,” said Vallone, who led a successful crusade in March against a row of towers near PS 122 in Ditmars. “New York City has the least restrictive regulations regarding the placement of these towers and the cell phone companies have abused that.” Resolution No. 1035, which Vallone introduced last Thursday, would force cell phone towers to undergo the same review as sidewalk cafes. Local community boards would vote on granting a permit for the towers to operate in a residential area. If the board objected, the City Council would have the jurisdiction to call up the permit for review and a vote. Currently a company that wants to erect a cell antenna only needs an alteration permit from the city Department of Buildings. “They're putting these things directly across from people's bedrooms,” Vallone said. “They've put them up across from school yards. Where they should be putting them is in commercial and industrial areas.”Cell phone providers contend antennas pose no health hazards and worry that the new oversight could hurt the industry.”I think it adds some unnecessary steps to the (approval) process,” said Erin McGee, a spokeswoman for the Wireless Association, a Washington, D.C.-based industry lobbyist. “All these additional steps – they're unnecessary and can really impede carriers from just trying to provide service to their customers.” Vallone is among a handful of western Queens politicians who have called for stronger oversight of cell towers since the passing of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which forbids municipal and state governments from blocking antennas due to health concerns. State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) is shepherding a proposed law that would put all new antennas through a four-month review during which the company would have to prove the need of the tower, notify all residents within 500 feet of the structure and conduct public hearings. And U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) said in February she was considering proposing a zoning ban on cell towers near schools, day cares and other facilities that cater to children. Reach reporter Matthew Monks at news@timesledger.com or 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
