Lakewood Township's Zoning Board is scheduled tonight to continue its hearing for approval for installation of a permanent Verizon cell phone tower on Georgian Court University's campus, adjacent to BMG's proposed expansion.

As previously reported here on FAA News (https://www.faanews.com/2022/06/after-exposure-on-faa-lakewood-zoning.html), the BMG Roshei Yeshiva, the Satmar Dayan Rabbi Klein, as well as BMG Senior Posek Rabbi Forcheimer have signed letters opposing installation of additional cell towers in Lakewood.

The letter signed by the BMG Roshei Yeshiva states "these towers do not come free of serious health concerns and risks for the Lakewood community". The letter also states that installation of cell towers in residential areas "defies Torah law", and calls on Lakewood residents to "join the efforts to oppose these advancements".

Lakewood Township's zoning ordinance only permits wireless communication facilities in the M-1 industrial area zone or on properties owned by the municipality. Therefore, this proposed tower requires a Use Variance from the Zoning Board, which requires an affirmative vote of at least 5 board members. Under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, the Board may only grant a Use Variance "in particular cases for special reasons" and the burden of proof is on the applicant to provide testimony that their application meets this criteria.

The application also seeks an additional variance from the Board. The Township ordinance requires wireless communication facilities to be setback 1,500 feet from residential dwelling units. The proposed tower would be situated about 358 feet away from at least one residential dwelling.