HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23 ZBA MinTOWN OF GROTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, 23 October 2019 - 7:00 PM
Groton Town Hall Court Room - 101 Conger Boulevard - Groton, NY
Board Members (*Absent) Others Present
Ted Schiele, Chairman Fran Casullo, Town Attorney
Paul Fouts Rick Gamel, Town Councilman
Patricia Gaines Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Carolann Darling
Daniel Cerretani
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Andrew Leja & Mark Fuentes, for Applicant, AT&T Mobility Corp.
PUBLIC HEARING
AT&T Mobilitv Corp., Applicant/ Christopher Tallman, Reputed Owner - 601 Sovocool Hill
Road - TM #31.-1-3.1 - Area Variance(s) - Proposed Telecommunications Tower
The Public Hearing, opened on 18 September 2019, was continued at 7 p.m. by Chairman
Ted Schiele.
Reference is made to those Minutes for further information. Chairman Ted Schiele asked if there
was anyone present who wished to speak regarding the subject; there was no one.
With everyone heard who wished to be heard, on a motion by Member Paul Fouts,
seconded by Member Dan Cerretani, and all Board members present voting in
the affirmative, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m.
This becomes Action #6 of 2019.
DISCUSSION/ DECISION
Chairman Ted Schiele recognized Andrew Leja, Attorney of Barclay Damon, representing the
applicant who was seeking an Area Variance to (1) permit a fall zone radius less than allowed, (2) a
smaller lease area than allowed, and (3) allow a narrower access drive than allowed.
Mr. Leja noted that, at the September meeting of this Board, there were questions the Board
needed answered regarding the design of the tower/its break point, and possible alternate
locations/co-locations of the proposed tower. Mr. Leja submitted an 8 October 2019 letter from
Costich Engineering attesting to the design of the proposed tower and effective fall zone radius of
77 feet, along with supplemental radio frequency memorandum and supporting propagation maps
concerning AT&T's analysis and elimination of three existing towers as to an alternative to their
proposed tower, all of which he extensively reviewed with the Board.
Regarding an 11 September 2019 letter from the Tompkins County Department of Planning and
Sustainability containing their recommendation, Town Attorney Fran Casullo commented that it
would be "great if the Department of Emergency Response agreed with you" regarding the analysis.
Mr. Leja stated he agreed, and could obtain a letter so stating.
Chairman Schiele then wondered if information could be obtained from the tower manufacturer
and then have it reviewed by the Town Engineer. Mr. Leja stated that certification had already
been provided by Costich Engineering in the packet for this meeting. He then again explained how
this worked, as he had at the September meeting.
Page 1 of 2
Town of Groton ZBA Public Hearing & Meeting Minutes 23 October 2019
Member Carolann Darling was concerned with the width of the driveway into the site, especially for
emergency vehicles. She thought it was too narrow (12 ft.) and would not provide adequate
maneuverability for emergency and repair/service vehicles. Mr. Leja stated that 12 feet with the
standard width in the industry. The Town requires 20 feet which, Chairman Schiele added, was
set for a reason. Attorney Casullo stated that this could be a question to ask the engineer
(Timothy C. Buhl, PE). Mr. Leja commented that widening of the road would mean removal of
more trees. Regarding the road width, Attorney Casullo advised the Board that they could set the
width they would like.
Attorney Casullo summarized that the appellant made an effort to make initial contact with County
Emergency Management and they have done a thorough analysis, as requested, but for
completeness sake, could they go back to Emergency Management and ask them to either agree or
disagree, in writing? Once this is done, then the questions regarding the width of the road and the
fall zone could lead to the Board's decision at the November meeting. The Board, he advised,
should use the long form EAF under SEQRA.
The neighbor's easement was discussed, as was an easement AT&T will have. Member Darling
again brought up the road width and suggested using 16 feet. Chairman Schiele stated he would
like to review the Code a little further.
Attorney Casullo advised that a reputable professional engineer should be retained and suggested
Timothy C. Buhl who has worked for the Town before. He stated that he would contact Town
Supervisor Don Scheffler on 24 October, and then get ahold of Mr. Buhl. The next meeting of this
Board will be November 201h at 7 p.m.
No Action Taken
II REGULAR MEETING l�
The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Zoning Board of Appeals was opened by
Chairman Ted Schiele at 7:50 p.m.
OTHER DISCUSSION
Regular meeting date for this Board is, as stated by Chairman Schiele, the third Wednesday
of each month on an as -needed basis. Board members agreed.
Special training requirements were discussed, i.e., Sexual Harassment on Nov. 141h.
• Situation Awareness Training was also briefly discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made by Member Darling, seconded by Member Gaines, with
all members present voting in the affirmative.
J n E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz,
Attorney Casullo & Board Members on 11/20/19.
Page 2 of 2