Zoning Board Stalls Lindy's Plan for 80-Foot Antenna

Plans by Lindy's Taxi to build an 80-foot antenna at 50 Medford Ave. were put on hold at Wednesday's Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to address public concerns over the tower's height and safety.

Lindy's Taxi, which has filed for a special use permit and height variance for the tower, has said it needs a new antenna as part of its planned move to Medford Avenue. The company has sold its 27 Havens Avenue base, which it operated out of for several years, to Tritec to be developed as part of the village's downtown revitalization projects.

Joseph Viero, general manager of the Patchogue location of Lindy's Taxi, said that the antennae would allow them to communicate with taxis outside of Patchogue.

"For the frequencies we use, the height is very important, and the elevation on the South Shore is quite a bit lower than on the North Shore," said Viero.

However, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Joseph Fuccillo said that the frequency the antenna would use was being phased out by order of Federal Communications Commission by 2013, and that residents would be left with an 80-foot antenna as an eyesore.

Viero said transitioning to a new system would be too expensive, and that the new tower is the only possible way to improve the communication problems plaguing its current antenna system.

Residents opposing the antennae are worried about more than its height. Many voiced concerns about the safety of such a tall structure hovering over the busy Medf0rd Avenue area, which is already a hot spot for car accidents.

"The matter remains that there are many accidents and backup on 112 coming north backing up north from Main Street," said resident Victor Villacara.

Christopher Kane of the Patchogue Fire Department said that they receive many car accident calls on or within two tenths of a mile of the area, and was working to obtain information from Suffolk County Police about the safety of the operation.

Architect Joel Peck presented a drawing of the antennae to show that if the tower fell it would cross property lines but would not hit any adjacent structures.

Viero said that while the company has 30 taxis, only 15 them are parked on site with the others often taken home by employees. Additionally that as the business runs 24 hours a day, the taxis would be in their respective areas and not crowding Medford Avenue.