Residents who live near Hillcrest Baptist Church are still against the proposal to construct a cellphone tower in a residential neighborhood.

On Wednesday, the city Zoning Board of Appeals again heard the petition for a use and area variances on behalf of Verizon Wireless for a cellphone tower to be installed on property adjacent to 40 Hallock St., where the Hillcrest Baptist Church is located. The area variance is needed because cellphone towers are only permitted in a commercial or manufacturing zoned district and it is being proposed to be installed in a R-1 (single-family residential) district. The use variance is needed because the city’s zoning law states that no cellphone tower should exceed 60 feet. Verizon is proposing to install a 100-foot cellphone tower.

Once again the Zoning Board tabled the resolution until Verizon can provide them with more information about the proposal. This was the second time the board has tabled the variance requests, with the first discussion held in September.

Again, Robert Brenner, attorney for Nixon Peabody, discussed the proposed cellphone tower installation in a residential neighborhood. Brenner said during the first meeting, there were concerns expressed by neighbors on the tower installation causing more drainage issues. He said they would install a stormwater trench, which would make the drainage in the area better than before. He added that they have also changed the proposed location of the cellphone tower to a different area on the church’s property to be further away from residential neighbors.

Brenner also said Verizon would be willing to install a stealth bell tower design instead of the first proposed monopine tower, which looks like a tree.

Despite these proposed changes, residents were still against the proposal. In total, six residents spoke against the proposal. Concerns discussed included whether or not the cell tower is necessary for the area to have the cellular coverage and capacity that is needed for the city.

Another question was about the condition of the access road and highways that will be used to haul installation equipment into the wooded area where the tower would be constructed. Another concern was about the potential health hazards from radiofrequency waves from a 5G cell tower.

Marie Carrubba, Ward 4 councilwoman, said she collected 63 signatures on a petition from residents who oppose the cell tower. She said, seeing that it would be the first cell tower allowed in a residential zone if approved, the Zoning Board should be careful about starting a bad precedent for the rest of the city.

David Wilfong, Chautauqua County legislator for District 11 located in the city, said the cell tower proposal has been the most popular concern he has heard from his constituents during his tenure as a legislator. He said no other issue has garnered more complaint calls than this proposal.

Following the public speaking portion of the meeting, Brenner said the residents provided misinformation about the proposed cellphone tower. He said the FCC and the federal government regulate cellphone towers when it comes to health concerns and the proposed tower is well within the necessary safety standards.

Ellen Ditonto, Zoning Board chairwoman, said she would like more updated map information and more current details about ongoing cell tower projects in the city. She also said that Verizon personnel haven’t looked close enough at Bergman Park, which has been proposed as a better location for the cellphone tower than a residential neighborhood. She added that she feels Verizon has also not done a good enough job at looking at potential sites outside of the city.

Brenner said Verizon personnel have tested several alternative sites, included extensively at Bergman Park, and the proposed site at Hillcrest Baptist Church is the best location to meet capacity and coverage needs. He added that Verizon is looking for a solution and would like specifics on what information the Zoning Board needs before making a decision.