Planning Board Meeting 1/19

At the Planning Board Meeting last week, a group of dozen or so citizens turned out to the Planning Board meeting to continue with the request (initiated at 11/17 meeting) to increase the set backs for cell towers in the bylaws to a uniform 1000′ from adjacent residential property lines.  Kathy Joubert, Town Planner, provided a list of 21 towns setbacks, most of which were less restrictive.  Tom Blasko, town resident, provided a list of 14 towns where the setbacks were more restrictive.

Town Bylaw 7-10-040 (E) 8-10 delineates setback requires currently in place (I will paraphase due to the length of the bylaw)

• In Industrial or Business zones, the set back should be 1.5 the height of the monopole and at a minimum of 500′ from a residential lot line.
• In Residential zones, the setback should be 4 times the height or a minimum of 500′ from an abutter residential lot line.
• In either case, “The Planning Board may waive such requirement in exceptional circumstances to allow a lesser setback where such action is in the public interest and is not inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this bylaw.”
• Where a school is near a proposed tower site, the setback must be 1000′ from the school property line and a ZBA override could allow for closer siting.

The board members felt that there wasn’t adequate time to investigate and deliberate and re-write the bylaw for the April Town Meeting (warrant items are due in February).  The residents asked the board to consider a moratorium on new tower applications, until the bylaw could be reviewed and brought to vote.  The Town Planner will look into the impacts of declaring a moratorium for the February 2nd meeting.  There are two tower applications in beginning phases currently.

Link to Community Advocate article