MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Kevin Haley, and Tara Hengeveld.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen King
7:00 The Board endorsed an ANR submitted by Chad Richardson for property on Carpenter Road. The plan transfers a portion of land owned by Celeste Gould to Chad Richardson both properties remain in conformance with the frontage and area requirements of the Monson Zoning Bylaws.
Paul Hatch excused himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
7:15 Public Hearing for New Cingular Wireless PCS (AT&T) for a Special Permit as provided by Section 6.8 Wireless Communications Facilities regulations of the Monson Zoning Bylaws. The applicant proposes to attach panel antenna to the exterior of the First Church of Monson’s cupola located at 5 High Street, Monson at a height of + or – 45 feet.
Craig Sweitzer read the legal notice as published in the Republican newspaper the weeks of October 3, & 10, 2011.
Present was David Vivian Site Developer, A T & T, Francis Malabanan, A T & T, Jawad Ahmed, A T & T, David W. Sanborn, First Church of Monson, and Suzanne Kelley, First Church of Monson.
David Vivian stated this is phase 2 in re-establishing the communications equipment at the First Church. Phase one was the installation of a Cell on Wheels (COW) for a limited time of three to four months and this second phase is to attach panel antenna to the cupola. Once the work is completed the COW will be removed. The Church is moving forward to rebuild the steeple and a contract has been awarded for the design. The equipment will be moved back into the steeple once that has been constructed thus restoring the site to pre-tornado status.
Mr. Vivian stated a requirement of the Planning Board to install the COW on the site was for a stamped signed letter from a structural engineer to establish safety. That has been provided by Richard Sambor, P.E. URS Corporation and the following recommendations were made and have been completed:
- Move guy anchor locations to 60 feet from the base of the tower.
- Install 2 additional guy levels at 51 feet and 23 feet.
- Provide 3 kips of uplift and 4 kips of sliding resistance per anchor.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the fall zone for the COW was still within Church property?
David Vivian stated that was correct. He stated the plans submitted show the location of the property, details of the cupola and attachment of the antennas and an exterior view with elevation. The antenna will be mounted directly to the structure at the louver level.
Craig Sweitzer questioned how many antennas would be mounted on the building?
David Vivian stated 6 in total approximately 4 ½ feet high by 1 foot wide. The panels will be painted white to blend in with the building and mounted with bracket to the cupola. The cable will be routed through the interior of the church keeping all of the wiring inside.
Craig Sweitzer stated it would appear from the plans that the antennas are going to be well concealed.
Kevin Haley questioned if there would be any co-locators?
David Vivian stated if in the future another provider wanted to co-locate A T & T would have its equipment in the steeple and the co-locator could use the cupola.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the approximate time schedule for installing the steeple?
Suzanne Kelley stated optimistically next summer.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the Planning Board were to approve the special permit this evening when would A T & T anticipate the COW would be removed?
David Vivian stated if approved tonight they would start the structural planning and it would take approximately 2 – 3 months to complete the change over.
Kevin Haley stated the thought this was a good looking installation and a vast improvement over the COW.
Tara Hengeveld questioned if the proposed antenna panels had the same radio frequency output?
David Vivian stated the output is the same but it is 30 feet lower than the steeple. Section three of A T & T’s submission details compliance with all Federal radio frequency standards.
Kevin Haley moved to close the public hearing 7:40 P.M.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Kevin Haley made a motion to approve the issuance of a special permit for the attachment of antenna panels to the existing cupola of the First Church of Monson with conditions that include all work must conform to the plans submitted.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Craig Sweitzer stated to go back to the issue of the existing cell-on-wheels (COW).
David Vivian stated they intend to lower the height to 70 feet to make it safe to 50 miles an hour and add two more guys, any predicted winds over 50 miles per hour the COW will be lowered. It is the intent of A T & T to do everything to ensure safety and to take all safety precautions.
Craig Sweitzer questioned when the work would be completed.
David Vivian stated it would be completed within two weeks.
Tara Hengeveld questioned when phase two would start.
David Vivian stated as soon as they have the engineered construction plans.
Paul Hatch returned to the meeting.
Craig Sweitzer stated he followed up with Department of Housing & Development with regard M.G.L Chapter 40A, Section 6 Grandfathered Lots. The surprise is that there is no grandfathering of a non-conforming lot once a building is on it even if the building is destroyed. That is where the 2 year rule comes in, a property owner has two years to rebuild on the lot and if rebuilding does not start within the two years the lot looses its protection. There are different approaches the Town can take for instance extend the 2 year period for a period of time and after five years from the Town Meeting vote revert to the 2 years, or extend the 2 years for 2 more years for the tornado damaged property.
Kevin Haley stated he would prefer to see any extension limited to tornado damaged property.
Paul Hatch stated he could foresee a problem with abandoned non-conforming lots, banks will not make loans on sub-standard properties and this may adversely affect neighborhoods in Town.
Tara Hengeveld stated the Board must consider if it wants to make a broad revision to the bylaw or if it wants to limit the change to a defined disaster.
Craig Sweitzer stated he saw merit to granting an extension on a case by case basis. The Attorney General was not impressed by the change to the Trailer bylaw because it was too broad in nature. An extension could be granted on a case by case basis with certain constraints and conditions.
Tara Hengeveld stated any extension would have to be transferable to whoever owns the property.
Paul Hatch moved to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
| 
