Planning Board Meeting Minutes: 8/18/2011
Members Present: Maggie Leonard; Chair, Bridget Krans, Alan Solomon, Larry Klein, Stephen Enoch and Barry Karson
Meeting to order: 7:03 PM
Meeting Minutes: Previous meeting minutes approved
Business from the board: Maggie reported that she spoke with the State Ethics Committee and cleared up our question regarding asking to have the fire/rescue/police on the cell tower.
ZBA cell tower hearing route 23: Larry felt that the meeting went well over all as did Maggie. Larry informed the members of the board that were not present at the meeting that the meeting was opened by informing the attendees that the Attorney General’s office had not received the revised bylaw. It was stated that the town will open the hearing but reserves the right to change revisions etc. if the state suggests that changes be made. The tower company provided many pictures of what the tower would look like as well as what multiple towers would look like. Richard Comi, the consultant selected by the ZBA was present. The main discussion that followed was trying to figure out how to make the request a “no variance” request. Maggie and Larry felt that the Cell tower
representatives were very cooperative and open to the discussion.
Special permit New England Keswick Property:* The first requested waiver for the special permit is to waive the requirement of showing the ground clearance around the site of the tower. It also requests a cross section. The previous application for the cell tower on route 23 had several abutters that the board was concerned about and as a result the board did not feel that this should be waived. Maggie felt that she was not as concerned about this property compared to the last one. Using Google Maps the board was able to see that the tower will be surrounded by dense forest. As a result the board felt that this waiver was OK. The board still felt that they would like to know how much they wanted to clear.*Details of the tower foundation- Alan felt that if there was no objection to the
location then there is no reason why they can’t give a report about the tower foundation. *Indicate relative height of the tower to tops of surrounding trees as they exist: For the last finding the board decided that we wanted a drawing or a photo composite. The board still feels the same way. The balloon is not a sufficient test for this.
Alan brought up a point that in the application it was stated that “most coverage” would take place. That is the same as 50% and this concerned the board. The board was also concerned about the proposed width of the proposed access road which is 10 feet. Stephen wondered if the road would be wide enough for emergency vehicles. Stephen voiced his opinion that he felt that maybe they should have to follow our bylaw for a common driveway. The board also wondered about a large enough turn around area. * Provision made for adequate monitoring. Alan noted that it said to the extent required by law. Maggie and Alan were questioning whether it was by law or “bylaw”. Alan pointed out that if there is no law that requires it then they will not have to provide that. We want them to comply
with the bylaw.
The board took a vote to see if we were in favor to find the application incomplete: Stephen made a motion to find the application incomplete due to the fact that it does not provide us with all of the information that the bylaw requests. Larry seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
The board will meet again next Thursday the 25th at 7:00. This meeting will include the ZBA as well as Mark Bubrowski. Alan informed the board that his fee is $11,000 and he will attend four meetings.
Meeting adjourned: 8:40PM
Submitted by: Bridget Krans
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