We, the following citizens, residents and community advocates of the Townships of Cranford, Westfield and all relevant neighboring communities at large do hereby:

OPPOSE the placement of a 130 cell tower and adjoining equipment compound to be located on the property of the Cranford Swim Club, 201 County Park Drive, Cranford, New Jersey for the following reasons:

1. The proposed cell tower does not belong in any area zoned for Single Family Residential Use.

2. The introduction of this structure into the landscape would forever alter the character of the townships as well as all adjacent County Parks.

3. A tower 130 in height is directly out of scale with, and in great contrast to, the natural aesthetics of the surrounding area.

3. The scenic view from all of the cultural, environmental and historic properties in all relevant townships would be irrevocably altered by the introduction of a visual element that is unquestionably incompatible with the existing natural landscape.

4. The integrity of each township as a whole will be diminished by the proposed tower, yielding a very great adverse effect to visitors experience and residents daily lives.

5. It will lower property values of the single family homes in this residential community, and residents would seek lower tax assessments as a result of this tower. There are various appraiser journals and industry publications that support the arguments of reduced property values and cell phone towers.

6. The Township of Cranford Zoning Board would need to approve (7) seven separate variances to a corporation with no tax advantages to the community. The tax payers would be the ones who suffer; both from an esthetic prospective as well as a valuation prospective.

7. If the Township allows this tower and adjoining equipment compound and facility to be constructed in a Single Family Residential Zoned area, the precedent will be set in stone. Many more towers will be popping up, perhaps next in your backyard. The township will no longer have any recourse once a precedent has been set.


REQUEST that the Township of Cranford Zoning Board:

1. Investigate less intrusive, Non-Residential Zones that would be more suited to house a 130 cell tower and all accompanying equipment compounds and facilities.

2. Deny ALL (7) seven variances applied for under Zoning Board Application #Z17-07; New York SMSA Limited Partnership, Applicant 201 County Park Drive, Block 109, Lot 46, R-1 Zone. To permit construction of a telecommunications tower with the following variances/waivers: tower not permitted in the R-1 zone (136-33K(6); to exceed the maximum allowable height for a tower (136-33K(10); less than the minimum required setback for a tower (136-33K(10)(b); less than the minimum required setback to a residential zone for a tower (136-33K(10)(c); to exceed the maximum allowable square footage for an equipment cabinet (136-33K(12)(a); less than the minimum required front yard setback for equipment ( 136-30.6); less than the minimum required side yard setback (136-30.7).