Please sign this petition in order to try to stop the 120 foot cell phone tower from being built at the Terryville Fire Department Station 3 at 433 Canal Road in Port Jefferson Station, NY.  The tower would be located in a completely residential neighborhood, with the Fire Department’s fence bordering numerous surrounding homes and backyards. This site is an example of how our present law fails our citizens. The plan to build the tower was put into motion without the input or knowledge of nearby residents. The Terryville Fire District does not have to notify anyone of their plans, and there are no means with which to address the negative impacts their antennas may have on the residents of our neighborhood.  

A Board of Five Fire Commissioners have essentially decided the fate of our property value and quality of life.  Such a massive tower would have a dramatic adverse aesthetic impact upon the nearby homes and surrounding community and significantly reduce the values of the nearby homes.  Moreover, it goes completely against the Town Of Brookhaven’s Zoning Regulations Legislative Intent Article XXX Wireless Communication Towers and Antennas.  

“Article XXX § 85-784

Legislative intent.

In recognition of advancing technology and the increasing demand for the installation of wireless communications towers and/or facilities within the Town, the Town Board of the Town of Brookhaven hereby determines that it is in the public interest to specifically regulate the siting and installation of such facilities within the Town in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Therefore, the Board hereby determines to establish general guidelines for the siting of wireless communications towers and antennas in order to:
A.  Protect residential areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;

B.  Encourage the location of towers in nonresidential areas;

C.  Minimize the total number of towers throughout the Town;

D.  Encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use towers;

 
E.   Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the surrounding community is minimal;

F.   Encourage users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes the adverse visual impacts of the towers and antennas through careful design, siting, landscape screening, and innovative camouflaging techniques;

G.   Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such       services to the community quickly, effectively, and efficiently;

H.   Consider the impacts upon the public health and safety of communication towers; and

 I.   Avoid potential damage to adjacent and/or nearby properties from tower failure through appropriate engineering and careful siting of tower structures and/or facilities. In furtherance of the aforementioned objectives, the permitting board or Commissioner shall give due consideration to the Town's Comprehensive Plan, existing land uses and development, and environmentally sensitive areas, and other appropriate factors in approving sites for the location of towers and antennas and/or facilities.”

 
Our opposition to the Terryville Fire Department, Station 3 site is based on the following concerns: 

ADVERSE IMPACTS UPON THE AESTHETICS AND CHARACTER OF THE AREA
The tower would be built in an entirely residential area, dominating the skyline, which would be completely inconsistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood.  This would inflict severe adverse aesthetic impacts upon virtually all of the homes in close proximity.  The individuals best suited to accurately assess the nature and extent of aesthetic impacts of the proposed tower would obviously be the surrounding homeowners.  Unfortunately, the surrounding community was not appropriately notified. 

NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES
The unsightliness of the cell tower will have a negative impact on property values. Whether or not radiation emissions from these antennas are harmful is irrelevant. Believe it or not, The Federal Communications Act of 1996 says health concerns are not a valid reason for a municipality to deny zoning for a cell tower or antenna. Property values and aesthetics, however, do qualify, according to the act. The perceived threat alone would lower property values. When large cell towers are installed unnecessarily close to residential homes, such homes suffer material losses in value ranging from 5-20%.  “A recent survey by the National Institute for Science, Law & Public Policy (NISLAPP) found that 94 percent of homebuyers are ‘less interested and would pay less’ for a property located near a cell tower of antenna. U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines categorize cell towers with ‘hazards and nuisances,’ and HUD requires its certified appraisers to take the presence of nearby cell towers into consideration when determining the value of single-family residential properties” (Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, 2014). 

2. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTS

The close proximity to homes on Aleisha Lane, Beach Ave and Canal Road would be an intrusion into the privacy of the residents, as would the proposed access road. Workers performing routine maintenance would have direct views into homes.  Wireless companies require access for maintenance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That maintenance (often done at night) brings work crews, trucks with lifts, radios, lights and noise that will affect many neighbors.

4. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Allowing this cell tower will set a precedent allowing for possibly additional towers in our community. Elite Towers also has plans for erecting another one of these towers at the Main Terryville Fire House at Jayne Blvd.  Once a cell tower is established, there are no restrictions that prevent wireless companies from adding more antennas. While we recognize that there is a need for better cell coverage, we are opposed to the inappropriate location of this site. It is essential that steps be taken to prevent this tower from being built where it would be intrusive and have a negative impact on the daily lives of the people who live, work, study and play in our community.

The Fire District’s argument is that the towers will help them improve communications, and prevent increases in our taxes. It is, in fact, to increase revenue for the Fire District without any regard to the surrounding residents and the devaluation of their property. 

Thank you for your help!

If you have already signed the written petition, there is no need to electronically sign this one.