NORTH ANDOVER Cingular gets its antennas In a reversal, board approves variance
By Dan Tuohy, Globe Correspondent |
Cingular is getting a cool reception on Chestnut Street.
But after more than a year of wrangling, the giant wireless company can install the antennas it wants in North Andover.
The Zoning Board of Appeals last week approved a variance to allow six antennas to be added to an existing 152-foot tower in the neighborhood, a move aimed at improving cell phone coverage.
The board opposed the request last year and the company appealed the decision in federal court. Last week's unanimous approval, given without public discussion as abutting property owners groaned in the audience, settled the federal litigation. The Planning Board, the town's permitting agency , previously approved a special permit for the 300 Chestnut St. site, pending the zoning board's reconsideration of the application.
Before zoning board chairwoman Ellen P. McIntyre could move to other business at the meeting, Robert Holmes of 396 Chestnut St. cried out that the additional antennas could create a harmful environment for nearby families because of radio-frequency radiation. Neighbors also said the resolution shows that companies can run roughshod over local government, despite existing zoning bylaws on cell tower sites.