The Hulmeville Borough Zoning Hearing Board shot down plans by Verizon to build a 136-foot-tall cell tower in the heart of the historic town.
Zoning board members Douglas Harris, Daniel Ferry and Roger Hedeman unanimously approved the decision that ruled against all five requested variances. The requests relating to land use, antennas, tower size and landscaping.
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Verizon is able to appeal the ruling, according to Harris. Nicholas Cuce Jr., an attorney for Verizon, said that he was not sure if the telecommunications company would file an appeal or look for another tower location.
The board heard testimony from the public during three hearings held through the fall and winter months. The final hearing lasted about three hours and included several residents voicing their opinion on the proposed tower.
Verizon wanted the tower, planned to look like a large tree, to be constructed behind the William Penn Fire Company station on Main Street. The tower would have brought in an additional $21,000 that would have supported the volunteer fire company that serves Hulmeville, Middletown and surrounding towns.
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“We’ll have to keep up the fundraising by selling hot dogs,” William Penn Fire Company Vice President John Diegel said. He added that Hulmeville Day is among a popular fundraiser the department uses.
Around 100 residents signed a petition last month in opposition of the tower. Several of the residents who signed the petition were happy with the outcome of the zoning board meeting.
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Steve McGuinness of Main Street, who was vehemently opposed to the tower, said he was interested to see if Verizon would file an appeal to the zoning board ruling.
“The big thing with the tower is that it was a residential zone and effected the quaintness of Hulmeville,” Main Street resident Eric Schmid said.
