Bronxville board renews T‑Mobile special permit, approves antenna equipment upgrade at Iona

The Bronxville Planning Board approved a five‑year renewal of the special permit for T‑Mobile’s rooftop installation at Iona and authorized an equipment upgrade that replaces existing antennas while keeping them within the facility’s stealth cupolas.

David Kenny of Snyder & Snyder, counsel for the applicant, told the board the antennas serve T‑Mobile’s wireless network (rather than the building) and that an FCC compliance report — prepared on a worst‑case, cumulative‑emissions basis — shows the facility would meet FCC limits even at maximum power. "We do submit with our application in FCC compliance report that confirms that the emissions from this facility... would still be compliant with the FCC rules and regulations," Kenny said. He also said structural review shows the building and existing mounts can support the proposed equipment.

Kenny described proposed equipment dimensions and weights and said the replacements are generally smaller: one model cited in plans is roughly 55 inches tall while the proposed antenna weighs about 35 pounds versus some removed units that weighed over 130 pounds. He explained the upgrade adds remote radio units (from 6 to 9) to increase capacity for 5G‑era traffic without increasing visible antenna count.

The board’s consultant reported no objection to requested waivers (using a signed lease in lieu of a lease copy, omission of the FCC license, and the visibility assessment) and agreed the $17,080 removal bond estimate was reasonable. Committee member (speaker 6) moved to approve the renewal and equipment upgrade with the listed waivers; Committee member (speaker 3) seconded and the motion was approved by voice vote.