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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-25 - PB Vc\--1\ PLANNING BOARD MEETING TOWN OF ULYSSES FEBRUARY 25, 1997 • Present David Tyler, Krys Cail, Budd Stover, Gail. Zabawsky, Peter Demjanec,Greg Holibiire, Richard Geiger Subject: Radio Towers The meeting came to order at 7 : 00 pm. The board reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Mr. Tyler mentioned a change to be made in the wording on the last sentence. Ms. Zabawsky motioned to approve the minutes Ms . Cail seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the minutes. Mr. Tyler introduced a new member of the board from the village Mr. Geiger. Mr. Tyler noted. that Mr. Sitzman was asked to join the meeting and is present to share his experience on the subject . Mr, Tyler suggested that this be a working meeting and that everyone should state their concerns and comments. Mr.Andy Hillman stated that he lives at 3315 Swamp College Rd. and that he is concerned about the possible siting of a. tower in that area. He feels that the proliferation of the towers is the main concern. As well as loss of property value and obstruction of the view as well as the possibility of health affects. Mr. Howard introduced himself and noted that he lives on Reynolds Rd. and is highly concerned about the health risks as well the aesthetic concern and loss of property value Mrs. Jean Foley introduced herself and noted that she lives on Mekeel Rd. and has property that adjoins the proposed tower site, she is concerned about the health risk as well as the property value issue. She stated that she has a small child who would be living within 250 feet of the tower and neighbors on 2 sides have small children as well. She noted that she has been on the Internet searching for information on this subject and that there is a tremendous amount. available. She is concerned about the board making a hasty decision on this . She feels that the decisions should be made carefully and that we should compare ourselves with some of the other towns that have already made these decisions. \cc° PLANNING BOARD MEETING TOWN OF ULYSSES FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Mr.Norman Foley introduced himself and noted that he is concerned that there is no existing tower in this area and that each company has to receive equal treatment . For example that if you allow one company to erect a tower you are required to give another company the same treatment. He noted that Cellular One has a tower in the town of Enfield, and his concern is that if Frontier comes in Cellular One will be right behind them expecting the same treatment. Mr. Dave Gell introduced himself and noted that by co location we would save building two • towers . He feels that co location and requiring the company to produce a map showing the areas presently being served and proving the need for another tower in order to receive permission would be good ideas to consider. Mr. Rick Erda a lawyer from Ithaca who lives in Jacksonville mentioned that they should investigate the areas currently being serviced in the town and that they should require the applicant to prove the need for another tower. Mr. Sitzman asked about the possibility of the town requiring that if the tower is no longer in use the company be responsibly for dismantling it . It was noted the in the town of East Bloomfield they have that have as part of their ordinance a $5000 . 00 bond and that if the tower is not used for a year and a half they are required to dismantle it . Mr. Penniman commented that he believes in competition between towns to bring in tax money etc. and feels that we can compete to restrict cellular towers also , he feels that we need to be careful in regulating them. He noted that the telecommunications act specifically requires states to facilitate the use of state land for these towers and that is certainly an option. Mr.Tyler noted that the town attorney will arrive at 8 : 00 and that they should review the materials that they have and then discuss the necessary documents with the attorney. They then examined the available documents with some discussion about the contents. Mr. Sitzman noted that typically on the design of a guide tower the down cables are made 40% stronger than the tower so that if the tower failed it would fail first and would collapse in a very small space . They discussed the different types of towers and their structure as well as that being a part of the application process. Mr.Tyler noted that the Stanford form EAF should be incorporated in the application. • V� PLANNING BOARD MEETING TOWN OF ULYSSES FEBRUARY 25, 1997 They decided to give all of the examples a letter designation. A Stanford B Farmington Draft C. Sec. Communication Towers • D.Ag. District Town of Ithaca Mr.Tyler noted that it was said that 100 - 150 feet tower height will be enough they then discussed the tower height. They discussed using a line of site in determining height as well as a short tower not being enough requiring two towers . They discussed not allowing the tower to be over 200 feet. They then went over the information that should be required from the applicant concerning the height needed to provide adequate service also a map showing the existing service and the proposed service to determine the need for a tower. Mr. Tyler suggested that they make 100 feet the standard unless they can prove the necessity for more height. They then discussed the site size and setbacks and agreed that 5 acres sounds appropriate with the setback at 2 times the height of the tower. They then discussed public utilities , the zoning issue and the legalities of such to survive a challenge. Mr. Bruce Wilson the town attorney arrived at 8 : 00 There was a lengthy discussion concerning a time limitation for removal of an unused tower and a financial guarantee or letter of credit. There was further discussion concerning setbacks and natural buffers they reviewed the Stanford ordinance . Concerning the fence required etc. There was mention of inspection of the tower to assure that it meets FCC standards. There was some mention of the areas that should be available such as agricultural or residential. Mr. Tyler asked what the procedure should be in this situation. They discussed having a planning board review and then going through the BZA. There was a lengthy discussion concerning the public utility issue and the need for an area variance . They discussed the need for accurate geographic coordinates FAA and FCC,limiting access to personnel, and the necessary fence . It was agreed upon that Stanford ordinance was a good outline to use in drafting something similar. • ca„\0 PLANNING BOARD MEETING TOWN OF ULYSSES FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Some time was spent on the issue of getting fire equipment to the site and the fact that it is an unmanned site and that it is a non combustible site. Mr.Tyler read the following list of guidelines. 1 . Visual EAF addendum to the full EAF required. • 2 . 100 ft. height maximum unless a different height is demonstrated as necessary. 3 . Size of parcel 5 acres setback 2 times height . 4 . Double up the antenna for future uses with other utilities. 5 . On the application they need to evaluate alternate sites. 6 . Use the town of Ithaca ordinance paragraph 5 concerning buffers etc. 6 .Removal provision and financial; guarantee provision. 7.The ELF and power density limits from the Stanford code be verified annually by testing. B . The approval be to the Planning Board granting special permits variances as needed from the BZA. 9 . If there is a nonconforming antenna it must be brought into conformance within ten years . They then discussed having another meeting with the Town Board to make a decision. The meeting adjourned at 9 : 00 pm formation has been gathered. Respectfully Submitted : Julie Kraus