AT&T will erect a new light standard with a cellular antenna attached on property owned by Highlands School District.

The Harrison Township commissioners voted 4-0 at its October meeting to approve a conditional use for the project following a public hearing. Commissioner Eric Bengel voted “present.”

No one from the public voiced an objection to the project.

Kimberly Collazo, project manager for Amentum Digital Infrastructure, presented details of the project to the supervisors.

The site is along California Avenue at the eastern end of Golden Rams Stadium and near the circle used for discus throwing during track meets. A light standard that is 70 feet tall presently stands there.

Collazo said the current standard will be replaced with a 93-foot high standard to which the cellular service antenna will be attached. In addition, she said, the site will be enclosed with a 6-foot high fence.

“There were many locations we looked at but very few were buildable,” Collazo said.

Township Solicitor Emily Mueller said that New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, doing business as AT&T, presented documentation from the Highlands School District expressing its approval.

Mueller, who said that the initial height of the standard was 115 feet and then reduced to 93 feet by AT&T, asked Collazo if it can be reduced further.

“That is the minimum length that would serve that area,” Collazo replied.

She produced a map showing the area in question would extend from the township’s Natrona neighborhood northward to the area along Route 28 and run through the center of the township, including Allegheny Valley Hospital.

Collazo said the tower would fill in AT&T service gaps that now exist.

“Some people can’t make a phone call from their house,” she said.

Another problem is that the present service has been substandard due to the increase in data being used through cellphones.

“It’s not the amount of people, it’s the data being used — the texts, the e-mails,” Collazo said.

She also said the new tower would boost emergency communications for first responders.

That’s something that Commissioner Jim Erb, an EMT with Citizens Hose Ambulance, agreed with, saying there are times when he is at the hospital and can’t receive or make calls.

David Belczyk, an attorney for AT&T, said that under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, approval by the township is required unless there is a less intrusive means.

“You’d have to have a reason not to (approve),” Belczyk said.

Mueller agreed.

“If the applicant shows they have met all the requirements, then they are entitled to the approval,” she said.

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