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Richard Gere’s controversial plan to erect cell phone towers at his luxury hotel is reportedly poised to win.
The 73-year-old “American Gigolo” actor proposed building a 130-foot-tall mast on 14 acres of land for his luxurious Bedford Post Inn in Bedford, New York, in Westchester County, where he is headquartered. Set here, it sparked the ire of his wealthy and famous neighbors.
While high-profile residents of the celebrity hotspot expressed “anger” that it would raise eyebrows, the New York Post reported that the plan “appears to be on the verge of being approved” following a Bedford Township board meeting on Monday. . (19.12.22)
Richard co-owns the eight-room Bedford Post with real estate developer Russell Hernandez, which opened 15 years ago and charges more than $1,000 a night for the best rooms.
In June, Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves asked the couple if they would rent land to build cell phone towers to fill gaps in mobile coverage in the area.
Allen acknowledged the plan to the New York Post and that “many members of the public are pleading with the town council to find a less intrusive alternative,” but she added via: “Given that the Post Inn property is commercial and in the Town code commercial property is considered ‘less intrusive’ than residential land and I’m looking … to see if they’ll take that into account.”
The proposal was not fully approved at Monday’s meeting, but Allen warned that even the wealth and power of local residents may not be enough to prevent it from proceeding.
She added in the Post: “Just because someone with money and power threatens legal action doesn’t mean they are treated with more respect than anyone else.
“We have to make the right decision for the whole town. It’s a matter of public safety and quality of life.”
Stars living in Bedford and its nearby towns include Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
It’s unclear where they stand on the cell tower proposal.
But two influential big-name residents who opposed its erection were the parents of actresses Kate and Rooney Mara — Catherine Rooney Mara, whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and her husband Chris Mara, formerly of the New York Giants Son of owner Wellington Mara and grandson of Giants founder Tim Mara.
The couple have lived in Bedford for nearly 40 years, and Catherine demurred in an email to the town’s planning committee in November: “In winter, I have a beautiful view. I look forward to it every year.
“Right now I’m looking at an ugly tower that will quickly become obsolete if the site is approved.”
She added: “I don’t understand why they want to put it there. Isn’t everyone like that? Like, not in my backyard or something, you know?”
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