Residents rallied, on Friday, at the construction site of a cell phone tower, which they think will damage their Whitestone neighborhood.
Councilman Tony Avella and state Sen. Frank Padavan spoke to the crowd that gathered at the shopping strip, on 149th Street, between 7th and 8th avenues, where T-Mobile has begun constructing a 65-foot tower.
Avella spoke about the potential long term health hazards of living near such a tower, and that although the company’s scientists insist the towers are harmless, other experts believe they emit dangerous radiation.
Avella and the protesters understand the need for the towers to improve service in the area, but want more community involvement in deciding where to place them.
“We’re just so frustrated, because we’re so restricted by federal regulations (on what they can do to affect the tower placement),” he said, “I don’t know of anything else you can build in this city without conforming to zoning restrictions.”
It is against federal law for the city to attempt to regulate the cell companies through zoning regulations.
Padavan blamed the cell company lobbyists for exerting pressure against such a move. “The zoning resolution could have a category dealing with towers and restrict where and how they can be placed.”
Avella indicated a property owner can receive between $1,500 and $2,500 per month, for each tower built. “We have to make the community more important than the almighty dollar,” he told the crowd.
John Indiviglio, owner of the property where the tower is being built, does not understand why some locals have focused their anger toward him. “Their fears are based on things I don’t understand,” he said. Citing the lack of evidence of health dangers, he added, “It’s dangerous to drive a car, it’s dangerous to put a cell phone to your ear.”
He pointed out the need for better cell phone service in the area, and said, “Obviously it’s a business decision. I have no interest in harming anybody.”
Mark Plotnick, owner of Lords Pest Control Services, located in the shopping strip, agreed with Indiviglio. “It’s all dollars and cents. Everybody wants service, nobody wants towers.”
When resident Angela Curmi first heard about the plan to build the Whitestone tower in July, she informed Avella’s office. He then organized a meeting between local leaders, representatives of T-Mobile and Indiviglio.
Curmi said that by that point it was a “done deal” and nothing could be done about it.
Pat Carpentiere, president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, said representatives from T-Mobile walked out of a civic meeting on Nov. 21, when the crowd became hostile towards them. The civic has retained an attorney and is exploring the possibilities of legal action.
Rita Mendez, who has lived next to the site for 20 years, is concerned about the long-term dangers of the tower. “The radiation could be seeping through my roof while I sleep,” she said. She is also worried about more immediate problems. “It’s just an eyesore, and it devalues the property.”
She is considering moving, but said it is not viable right now because of the current housing market and the tower’s expected effect on her property.
In 2006, Avella led the community in a similar quest to get 23 cell towers removed from the roof of St. Mel’s Catholic School in Flushing. After much pressure, they were successful in getting rid of some of the towers, and Avella said, the rest are scheduled to be removed.
Avella has repeatedly asked the cell companies to meet with him to discuss possible locations that would be suitable to the community. Among his suggestions were highways and elevated subway tracks. The companies never responded.
T-Mobile failed to respond to Chronicle inquiries.
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Residents Rally Against Cell Tower Construction
Source: Queens Chronicle
Date: 12/06/2007
