Verizon wants to build 150-foot cell tower in residential area of Lower Makefield

Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless is proposing to build a cell tower in Lower Makefield on land it would lease from Congregation Beth El at 375 Stony Hill Road.

Hundreds of nearby residents do not want the tower in their neighborhood and protested on a Change.org petition, while many asked for party status to question the project now before the Lower Makefield Zoning Hearing Board.

What does Verizon want to build in Lower Makefield?

Verizon wants to build the tower, disguised as an artificial pine tree, on the synagogue property, but is requesting a zoning variance to permit the tower’s construction in a residential area. It is also seeking "validity variances."It states that federal Telecommunications Act supersedes the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code if the zoners vote against the proposal.

The tower would be 150 feet tall and would hold up to 12 panel antennas, four per each sector around it. It would have a lightening rod 5 feet tall atop it. It would be located within a 50-foot by 50-foot fenced area.

Verizon had previously asked to build a tower at the Brookside Swim Club site on Stony Hill but withdrew the proposal when there was objections, township Solicitor David Truelove said in March. Truelove said it would be hard for the zoners to deny the request under the Telecommunications Act but residents questioned why it couldn't be located in a non-residential zone.

More: Bristol Borough to consider Verizon proposal for cell tower

Why are Lower Makefield residents opposed to a Verizon cell tower?

Some 233 residents have signed a petition and dozens came out to a April 4 zoning hearing.

The Change.org petition signers stated that by having the tower in the neighborhood property values would decline by up to 20%; their neighborhood’s character would be “irrevocably changed,” its environment and local ecosystem could be damaged and “our health, especially that of our kids, can be harmed.” Copies of a similar petition were left for the taking at a supermarket in the township.

Several petition signers commented that they have done without the use of a tower for years. But one resident told the township supervisors last month that cellphone coverage in the area is hit or miss, and could spell problems in an emergency as more people are not using wired phones in their homes.

More than 30 residents also asked for party status after some had received notification of the construction of the tower because they live within 300 feet of its proposed location.

Zoning Chairman Peter Solor said that residents may still sign up asking for party status but the designation will only be granted depending on how the tower will impact them. However, all public comment will be taken.

What's next for the Verizon tower proposal in Lower Makefield?

Verizon and the synagogue president could not be reached for comment.

The next zoning meeting on the proposal will be at 7:30 p.m. on May 2 in the Lower Makefield Municipal Building, 1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield residents protest proposed Verizon cell tower