JACKSON — The Planning Board has granted approval for the placement of six antennas on an existing monopole on Six Flags Boulevard.

The application was heard at the Aug. 17 meeting of the Planning Board.

Doug Klee, the board's engineer, said Metro PCS New York LLC sought approval to install six antenna panels on an existing 150-foot-tall monopole that is in the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park. There is also some equipment to be installed at ground level.

The board's planner, Anna Wainright, noted that the antennas are a permitted use at the location and within the height limitation.

A

ttorney Michael R. Beck, representing

the applicant, said Metro PCS is a newly licensed telecommunications carrier, a cell phone company similar to Verizon, T-Mobile or Nextel.

Beck said Metro PCS does not have a network in Jackson at this time. He said its license has recently been granted for New York and New Jersey and now it is building a network.

The application is on the Six Flags property off Route 537 where there is an existing 150-foot-high monopole that is in compliance with Jackson's wireless ordinance, and as pointed out by the planner, this kind of location on an existing pole is encouraged, Beck said.

"The application is very simple," the attorney said. "It's to put six additional antennas on the existing pole and to put equipment at the base of the pole inside of a fenced-in area that is adjoining the parking lot."

Beck presented as a witness Joseph Chiaravallo, who has a background in physics and radio frequency communications.

Chiaravallo said if the emissions from all of the service providers were combined, the tower would emit less than one-half of 1 percent of the emissions allowed by the FCC code.

"There are no concerns regarding the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Jackson in relation to this application," said Chiaravallo. "Additionally, if the antennas are more than 33 feet above ground level, there is no need for the applicant to file a report. We follow the guidelines of the FCC."

Electrical engineer Fahad Kahaneh, of Amirit Technologies, representing the applicant, said the primary objective is to be able to cover the entire Six Flags theme park. He said Metro PCS will also cover Route 537 for 1.5 miles.

"We want to provide service to our current customers," said Kahaneh. "The base map shows four sites (in addition to the one at Six Flags) that we are proposing; Commodore Boulevard near Interstate 195 (190 feet high), a 150-foot tall monopole at Bismarck Road near Interstate 195, a 150- foot tall pole on Herman Road, and a 180- foot tall lattice tower at 181West Veterans Highway."

Kahaneh said the overlap between coverage areas is important so there are no dropped calls or unsuccessful call attempts. He also said the company tries to use existing structures.

The electrical engineer said there are already four other carriers on the existing pole which are higher than the Metro PCS antennas will be placed.

"Metro PCS is trying to compete with other carriers," he said. "They are now trying to expand to other parts in this state. They are also in New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas."

Engineer Ronald J. Igneri, of Innovative Engineering Inc., Toms River, said his firm prepared the plans for the application.

"The nearest residence is approximately 1,800 feet away" from the Six Flags monopole, said Igneri. "The site plan shows the vicinity of the tower relative to the surrounding boundaries of the overall lot, which is 1,189 acres and is about 0.3 miles off of Route 537 and about a quarter-of-amile from the westerly boundary of the property and three-quarters of a mile to the east. So, it's inside the property and away from the perimeter, near the bus parking."

Igneri showed several views of the tower and said Metro PCS will be the fifth carrier on the pole. The firm's antennas will be similar to the antennas that are already on the pole, he said.

The ground level equipment will be placed on a concrete slab. There will be four units, each one about the size of a refrigerator. The equipment has no noise, no vibration and is in a compound that will be owned and managed by a third party company, he said.

"The equipment is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Igneri. "It is all secured. Technicians will visit it every six weeks."

No member of the public commented on the application when given the opportunity to do so.

The board members voted 9-0 to approve the application for the Metro PCS antennas on the monopole at Great Adventure.