Town of Huron Planning Board Minutes - subject to approval
Regular meeting - July 6, 2009
Call to Order: Larry Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members present: Larry Lockwood, Chris Kenyon, Jack McGuire and Charles Boorgaard. Joe Snyder was absent.
Other Officials present: Laurie Crane - Town Supervisor, Dave Buisch - Councilmember and Roger Gallant - Building Inspector
Guests: Rod Prodonovich, John & Sheryl Ivanov
Correspondence: None
Approval of Minutes: Jack McGuire moved, seconded by Chris Kenyon to accept the minutes of June 1, 2009 as written.
Old Business:
1. AT&T Cell Tower
Rod Prodonovich from Pyramid Network Services on behalf of AT&T had a chart showing the existing 4 sites of AT&T and their area of coverage. The chart of existing coverage showed the lack of coverage in the Sodus Bay area. He said that the coverage using a tower of 195ft would be acceptable to AT&T and showed the chart of the coverage with a 195ft tower at the Lummisville location. He also had a chart showing the coverage using the Shaker Heights Water Tower at 130ft and one for the Verizon Tower on Dutch St. at 185ft (assuming they could be the next carrier 10ft down). The last chart showed the coverage using both the Dutch St. and water tower locations. He said that using the water tower was not desirable because of its proximity to their South Sodus site and therefore overlap would exist. He said that Wayne County Water & Sewer said they would be interested in allowing them to collocate but he said that Verizon is not processing any collocation applications from AT&T in upstate NY at this time. Using the two sites would mean double the equipment, etc. and is not really viable because of the inability to use the Verizon Tower. Rod said that the water tower and Dutch St. sites were pretty far from the original search ring which was why they hadn't considered those sites. He said that using both sites was also cost prohibitive because of the doubling of equipment, etc. The proposed tower would be owned by a tower company and therefore available for collocation by other carriers and by emergency services. He had photo simulations of the proposed location. He felt that the only place that the tower was really visible was from across the street and therefore visual impact would be minimal. He said that using the water tower alone would give them approximately 75 to 80 percent of the coverage that they were looking for, a lease would have to be worked out and a structural analysis would need to be done.
Jack noted that the best coverage was achieved using the two sites. Roger agreed but said that it also meant double the equipment and Rod didn't know if the company would be willing to do that.
Roger asked what limiting the tower to 195ft would mean to other carriers that might want to collocate on the tower. Rod said that SBA is looking to make money by having other carriers use the tower, so it should be enough.
Jack brought up the Dutch St. site again saying that it would give the needed coverage. Rod said that at this point Verizon is not allowing any other carriers on the tower. Rod said he doesn't know what their plan is for the future but right now, it is not an option. He also said that the board should keep in mind that if they limit the height of the towers too much, they may end up with more towers with single carriers.
Charles wanted it noted that the pictures were taken with the trees in full foliage so the tower would be more visible at other times of the year. Rod said that he understood what Charles was saying but he said that what the pictures did show was what could be seen above the tree line.
Chris asked about other increments for the height, like 160ft or 170ft. Rod said that 195ft was really the height that they would like and taking off 10ft or so would not make a lot of difference as far as visibility of the tower was concerned. He also said that 195ft keeps them below the 200ft which requires lighting.
Laurie asked about the Dutch St. tower because that has a red light at night. Rod didn't know why unless there is something in the area that required it to be lit. Rod said that generally there were 3 heights that you would see for the towers: 300ft, 195ft (less than 200ft for lighting) and 145ft-150ft which would be a mono-pole (easier to put up and less expensive).
Joe Snyder had sent in some questions for Rod which Larry addressed. Joe had asked if they had done actual drive tests or if the coverage data was computer simulated. Rod acknowledged that it was computer simulated but added that the drive tests are usually done for existing sites since it would be difficult to simulate a 195ft tower for the drive test. It would provide data about areas that will not provide coverage. Laurie commented that AT&T would not work in the Town Hall.
Charles asked if it would include high-speed Internet card capabilities. Rod said it would and Charles thought that would be a better marketing strategy since those things are lacking out in rural areas.
Rod said that Lummisville Rd. is a very good location for many reasons: it's a flat area, the road is there for easy access, power is readily available, etc. Charles asked who would own the road to the tower. Rod said that only the land owner and the lease holder have access.
Larry said that Joe had also asked about alternate sites which had been addressed. Joe also asked about different heights - why is something greater than 150ft needed. Rod said he could show that but if the tower is less than 195ft other carriers may not be interested in collocating.
Jack said that the guidelines also state that they submit documentation showing good-faith effort to secure shared use. Rod said he would do that.
In his letter, Joe wondered if the board should have an independent consultant review facts to determine if a tower greater than 150ft is necessary. Rod said he could show the propagation studies for that but again pointed out that if the Town wants to limit the number of towers then it needs to balance those issues - height vs. number of towers.
Rod asked if the board found the 195ft acceptable so that he could proceed to the Zoning Board.
Jack said that since Verizon wasn't willing to allow collocation, then the board needed to be more specific in the guidelines so that it would be required and not optional for any future towers that are constructed. Rod said that it is common for codes to specify that if a tower is built, they will allow collocation.
Rod also noted that AT&T allows access free of charge for county emergency 911, etc. Sheryl Ivanov stated that if the tower was built on their land, they had already signed a release to let 911 have access to it. Laurie said that the County is looking for a spot on this side of the County. Larry said the new service had been held up by that.
Roger asked about the high-speed internet. Rod said it would not be as fast as Road Runner but it is enough for the air cards for iPhones, etc. He reiterated that while cell phone coverage is important, resort areas are requesting service so that they can check email, etc.
Laurie asked about the process. Roger explained that the Zoning Board is looking for the Planning Board's comments and opinions on what is presented. The ultimate decision is up to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Jack thought that Joe should read the minutes before the Planning Board issued comments and that collocating with Verizon should be pursued. Rod reiterated that they would need both sites to make it work coverage wise which meant more expense and Verizon is not accepting collocation at this time.
A poll of the board members had two members in favor, on opposed and one abstention, so no decision could be made. Jack suggested that Rod finish gathering information, including written documentation showing that they had pursued shared sites and return next month.
2. Keyholing (Keyhole Development)
Larry said that he really didn't have anything new. Charles feels that a town plan is needed before addressing Keyholing. He wondered if they could approach SU to take it on as a class project. He said that it would be cheaper that way.
Laurie said that they had applied for a Long Range Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) but no funding has been forthcoming.
Charles said that it has to be decided whether the town would prefer the "golf course" look or the "Adirondack" look. Larry felt that the Dock & Mooring and Harbor Management Plan helped with some of that. Charles reminded the board about ways to do surveys which he had talked about at a previous meeting. Jack agreed that 5 board members shouldn't decide; that the thoughts of the townspeople are needed. Jack feels that the Town Board's vision needs to be communicated to the Planning Board. Dave Buisch said that in discussing the updating of the Master Plan, it was decided that it was too large a task for the Planning Board. Charles said that he would contact SU or other schools (Brockport, RIT, Oswego, etc.) to see if there was any interest in doing a study as a final project. He asked if there was money for a Master Plan and Roger said that there are firms that do presentations on developing Master Plans and they are knowledgeable about any grants, etc. Laurie and Larry said that in order to get the grants, a LWRP or a Master Plan usually have to be in place.
After discussion, it was decided to bring in some firms to speak to the boards about creating a Master Plan. They would plan it on a night when there are no meetings and invite the Town Board members and Zoning Board members. Roger will set up the meeting.
3. Recreational Trails
Chris said he really had nothing new to report. He did write a letter to the Town Board about the issues at the end of East Bay Rd. He also said he is still working with Trailworks and is supposed to meet with someone in August. He said there was an article in the New York State Conservation magazine about tying all the trails together.
Laurie said that she and Roger had met with someone from DEC and informed them about the problems at the end of East Bay Rd.
New Business:
1. County Planning Board Monthly Report
Larry said that there was a visitor at the County Planning Board who had been at the Huron Zoning Board meeting and said that the Zoning Board had been dissatisfied with the handling of the Hunter application by the County Planning Board. Larry said that the person said it had to do with not contacting the DEC about things having to do with that property. Roger Gallant said that he had discussed the issues with the chairman of the County Planning Board and that the Town of Huron Attorney was present at the zoning meeting and there were no concerns voiced. It was said that the Zoning Board in general was satisfied but a member had voiced some concerns so it was decided to contact the DEC about the concerns.
2. Larry asked about the wind energy presentation by La Bella. Jack had attended the meeting. The general discussion was that it was very informative.
Adjournment: Chris Kenyon moved, seconded by Jack McGuire to adjourn the meeting at 9:10PM
Email communications
During the month of June no emails were received:
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Grandjean, clerk
