Poll: Is T-Mobile Cell Tower Opposition 'NIMBY'ism?

Television news outlets have been toting their cameras around First Street and Barnett Place over the past few days, asking residents what they think about the with zoning board approval.

It should come as no surprise neighbors have greeted the proposal with poor reception, in health, safety, appearance and yes, property value declines.

It's not a unique stance; virtually all cell tower proposals in Ridgewood in recent years has seen swift denouncement from the respective neighborhoods.

Mayor Keith Killion, who along with fellow council members pulled back on a controversial plan to have a tower constructed at Fire Headquarters, said in the densely-populated village for a tower.

Current village zoning laws permit towers only in specific non-residential zones, though T-Mobile's variance request calls for a tower at the edge of the Ridgewood-Ho-Ho-Kus business district and 90 feet away from residential bedrooms.

Eric Gross, a resident on Barnett Place who's criticized the village for what he considers a pattern of inaction, said if not in his back yard, he wasn't entirely sure of a better spot for a cell tower.

"I would assume the fire house at the corner of Monroe and West Glen or the one on East Glen would be two good locations," he said. "But to be honest, the Village knows better than I do. They should be engaging T-Mobile in this discussion." 

Those living near the fire houses would likely disagree with Gross' statement their neck of the woods is better suited for a tower.

As society becomes more digitized with smart phones, bluetooth and WiFi, demand is greater than ever. Consumers don't find 'dead zones' acceptable, wireless groups say. Couple that with federal guidelines that favor carriers to 'improve' its coverage zones and it's easy to see the challenge that lays ahead when the zoning board (finally) hears the revised application.

The hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, was adjourned with a request to appear again in May.

Are those opposed to the proposals simply NIMBYs (not in my back yard) or are they expressing a larger concern that towers could truly harm quality of life in all of Ridgewood?

Take the poll below.

[Editor's note: This article was last updated at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday to include comments from Eric Gross.]