Ocean City Approves 120-Foot Cellphone Tower to Settle Lawsuit

Ocean City, NJ — Ocean City will allow the construction of a 120-foot cellphone tower on city property in the southern part of the island to settle a lawsuit filed by Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless. On March 27, the City Council introduced an ordinance that permits the tower’s construction and resolves the litigation that began in 2023. The lawsuit was filed after the city failed to approve Verizon’s application to install antenna equipment on a private building’s roof. Verizon argued that the city violated federal telecommunications laws by not approving the application. The ordinance also establishes rules for future cellphone tower installations, aiming to provide clarity for companies seeking approval for similar projects. City Attorney Dorothy McCrosson explained that the new rules would ensure companies understand the process for obtaining permits. Among the requirements is that cell towers can only be built on city-owned property and must be approved by a governing body resolution. In addition to the ordinance, the City Council passed a resolution to finalize the settlement agreement with Verizon. A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for April 10 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, after which the council may vote on its adoption.