The City has once again sprung another 5G tower on unsuspecting Upper East Side residents, allowing the high-powered radio-frequency transmission equipment to be built less than 10 feet from two UES apartment buildings without notifying the public before their installation, as required. Meanwhile, two other planned 5G locations may also be too close for comfort — situated just outside an office building in Lenox Hill and Temple Emanu-El.
New York City’s Office of Technology and Innovation sent the official notifications of the proposed new 5G sites to Community Board 8, as well as Upper East Side City Council Members Julie Menin, on February 28th, setting off a 15-day countdown for residents to submit feedback on the controversial installations.
ALSO READ | Upper East Siders Stunned by 5G Tower Suddenly Installed Outside Their Windows
When Upper East Site visited the three new locations on Wednesday, we found that a large grey cylinder housing transmission equipment and antennas, as well as a large grey box housing more cellular hardware, had already been installed on a street light in front of 416 and 418 East 74th Streets, between First and York Avenues, just outside third floor apartment windows.
It’s not clear when the 5G tower was built on top of the streetlight, however, since the official notification letter from the Office of Technology and Innovation was received Tuesday, chances are that the agency allowed a franchisee to jump the gun yet again.
Back in October, Upper East Site brought you the story of the residents of Gracie Gardens, a co-op located on East 90th Street between York and East End Avenues, after a massive 5G tower was installed atop a street light in front of their building.
The massive tower, which houses multiple 5G cellular antennas, is almost close enough to touch from bedroom and living room windows, according to residents, who say they never received any advance notice or had the opportunity to give feedback, despite a required 15 day public comment period following official notification of the local community board and City Council member.
In the case of Gracie Gardens, that never happened, and once installed the City claimed its hands were tied, leaving co-op owners, some of whom live with implanted medical devices which can be affected by radio-frequency transmissions, or have infants whose cribs are mere feet from the transmitters, left in the lurch.
At the East 74th Street buildings on Wednesday, Upper East Site was not able to reach any residents regarding the 5G tower outside their windows.
ALSO READ | Officials Call for 5G Tower to Relocate as City Says Its Hands Are Tied
However, what we find at the location, is that there were no fliers informing the public that there was a 5G tower installation proposed, nor did we find postings alerting neighbors to tonight’s meeting of Community Board 8’s Transportation Committee, where residents will get their only chance to share their concerns about the wireless transmitters steps from their homes.
At the other two proposed 5G tower locations, on the north sidewalk of East 65th Street near Fifth Avenue, less than 10 feet from Temple Emanu-El, as well as on East 60th Street near Madison Avenue, less than 10 feet from a commercial office building, 5G equipment has not yet been installed.
Upper East Site asked OTI why equipment had already been installed at the 74th Street location prior to official notification and the public comment period, we’re waiting to hear back.
Upper East Side residents can have their voices heard about the 5G tower sites during tonight’s Community Board 8 Transportation meeting, starting at 6:30 pm. To sign up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, click here. You can also email OTI directly by clicking here.
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