Community members may soon have more input when it comes to cell antennas in their neighborhoods, if legislation introduced by Queens City Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr. becomes a reality.
Vallone, who has been a frequent critic of cell phone antennas that are unchecked being placed in neighborhoods, said the legislation would also permit more industry regulation.
“Our goal is not to stop progress, we just want reasonable regulation,” said Vallone, who is the Chair of the Public Safety Committee. “This is an issue of worldwide importance, and after 6 years, it is time for New York City to take a stand.”
The new legislation would require that cell carriers alert the community and local elected officials when a new tower or antenna will be installed or mounted onto a building and provide the community board and Councilmember with written notice before applying for an installation permit from the Department of Buildings, in order to keep an up-to-date record of antennas in the neighborhood.
“The placement of cell phone antennas has become a huge issue in our communities,” said Brooklyn City Councilmember Lew Fidler, who is also a sponsor of the bill. “There is the concern over health and then there is the concern over aesthetics. Finally, there is the concern that they are being placed safely from a structural point of view. In this bill, we are beginning to address those concerns on behalf of New Yorkers.”
Under the new legislation, each antenna will have an identification number, so that residences and community groups could reference potential concerns related to specific equipment and prove they have made the best possible effort to install antennas in non-residential areas.
