New Yorkers would get 30-day heads-up on 5G towers under City Council bill

New York City lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday that would require the city to notify residents within 500 feet of a proposed 32-foot Link5G tower at least 30 days before it goes up. The proposed measure would also mandate that the city inform the appropriate council member, borough president and community board prior to installation.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Brooklyn council members Lincoln Restler and Jennifer Gutierrez, frames the proposal as a chance for meaningful community input on a project that has drawn complaints about aesthetics and placement. Restler said the 30-day window would enable neighbors to weigh in and for elected officials to participate in the process. "This legislation ensures that there is a real conversation, real opportunity for feedback and a 30-day window where neighbors can weigh in," Restler said.

OTI, the city office overseeing technology initiatives, told The Post that each proposed tower already undergoes a 60-day review and public comment period, with outreach to the borough president, council member and community board invited to provide feedback. A City Hall spokesperson echoed that point, saying the city already provides ample opportunities for community feedback before Link5Gs are placed in the ground. The rollout of Link5Gs is based on ensuring that all New Yorkers have equal access to high-speed internet, which is no longer a luxury — it’s an essential service — and this bill, presented by a councilmember who fashions himself a progressive, would be another stumbling block in our mission to bridge the digital divide.

The new LinkNYC towers can call 911 and charge devices via USB outlets, and they are part of a broader initiative to expand city wireless infrastructure. Hundreds of towers have been installed since 2022, with plans for a roughly 2,000-strong fleet across the city in the coming years. A LinkNYC tower on 94th Street in Manhattan illustrates the dual role these structures play: connectivity and service access for passersby.

In Restler’s district, dozens of Link5G structures have drawn attention—from towers that appear to block street-facing windows in Williamsburg to others that stand out on otherwise quieter blocks of Brownstone Brooklyn. Restler’s office has logged hundreds of complaints about a tower that went up outside 34 N. 7th St this April, including questions about safety. While the World Health Organization has reviewed the science on 5G signals and concluded there is no established health risk with the current exposure levels, critics argue that placement and transparency remain important.

"I do believe that the towers are safe, and I do believe that they are necessary infrastructure that we need to site," Restler said. "It’s just a question of finding the best places for them." He added that he has "no idea" how many towers are planned for his district and called for greater transparency from the Adams administration about the overall plan, asking for a clearer sense of how many towers are needed, how they will be distributed, and how communities can be involved in selecting locations to minimize disruption while strengthening infrastructure.

The Link5G rollout is part of a broader effort to expand high-speed internet access citywide, a project city officials describe as essential for residents as demand for data grows. City officials have argued that the network offers practical benefits beyond broadband, such as public safety features and USB charging for pedestrians. Critics, however, say the rapid deployment can overwhelm neighborhoods and obscure the decision-making process behind where and how towers are placed. The debate highlights a broader tension between digital equity goals and concerns about urban aesthetics and local control.

The administration has defended the pace of deployments by noting that the city has pursued a multi-year plan to build out thousands of units to close the digital divide. Proponents argue that the infrastructure is critical for schools, workers and small businesses increasingly reliant on reliable online access. Opponents contend that without stronger community engagement and clearer siting standards, residents may feel blindsided when a tower suddenly appears on or near their block.

As the City Council considers the bill, advocates for more transparent processes point to the ongoing nature of the Link5G project and the rapid expansion of towers across the five boroughs. They argue that residents deserve a clear explanation of where towers will be located and a formal opportunity to comment before construction begins. Supporters also note that the current review windows already require input from local officials, which the bill would formalize and expand by adding a direct notification requirement to residents living closest to proposed sites.

The conversation over Link5G towers continues to unfold amid broader questions about urban technology infrastructure, privacy and the role of city government in balancing accessibility with neighborhood character. If enacted, the 30-day notification requirement could become a model for other municipalities grappling with similar deployments as cities seek to modernize connectivity while maintaining open channels with residents and local leaders.