By Nathan Duke
State Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) brought a bus full of residents who live near the site of the proposed tower at 53-20 72nd Place, while Community Board 5 members, local civic leaders and representatives for elected officials also read statements in which they said they were adamantly opposed to the plan. Speakers at the hearing pleaded with the BSA, an independent board that determines whether to grant relief to private property construction from the city's zoning code, not to approve the plan.”This is clearly a matter of aesthetics,” Markey said. “It will look odd, strange, unsightly. This is about preserving the character of our neighborhood.”Representatives for Borough President Helen Marshall, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) and City Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village) also read statements opposing the proposal.The tower, which would serve as a flag pole, would be built atop the 72nd Place home, which adjoins eatery Frank's Deli. In mid-November, CB 5 voted 36-0 against the plan, which was made between Omnipoint Communications and deli owner Joseph Wroblewski. In a statement, T-Mobile USA said the tower would provide better wireless service to neighborhood residents.”To help keep families connected, T-Mobile is working hard to keep pace with the increasing demand for wireless service in this community,” the company said.But Markey said research by her office found that the community was already well-served for wireless service in comparison to neighboring communities. CB 5 District Manager Gary Giordano said community residents were also concerned about safety issues relating to the tower's height and potential radiation emissions.”In situations like these, I think the benefit to the greater community is supposed to outweigh the negative consequences to the immediate community,” he said. “But I don't think Omnipoint has proved this to us. I don't see a gap in service.”Maspeth residents have circulated a petition against the proposal and collected more than 1,300 signatures, Giordano said.”Omnipoint must think this community is stupid,” said Juniper Park Civic Association member Manny Caruana. “Knowing how much opposition there is to the tower, they continue to press forward with it. Are they just going to shove it down our throats? They don't give a damn about the community.”Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
