A cell tower is proposed for a residential area of Danbury, Connecticut, specifically 52 Stadley Rough Road. The property owner of the site, Christ the Shepherd Church and its parishioners do not want this tower. The Mayor's office and local residents also object to the construction. This project has been opposed for more than two years, when Optasite, the tower company, proposed a 130 foot tower for the same site.
Once the Connecticut Siting Council approves a location it is all but impossible to stop the construction. Federal guidelines supersede local regulation in most cases. It becomes a battle of lawyers, and grass roots community organizations often do not have as deep pockets at international communications companies. This is an economic battle, effecting their profits.
The fight against construction cannot be won on safety concerns, as long as the site adheres to United States of America federal standards. The best course of action may be to insist upon camouflage. If, and I stress IF, the location cannot be changed then the requirement for the installation MUST be: the site be as hidden from view as is technically possible.
First, camouflage would increase the cost of the site, reducing the Return On Investment. It is this economic pressure that is most likely to influence the tower operator. By forcing the ROI to decrease they may be more likely to choose another site, in order to increase their profit. Second, from an aesthetics perspective, if constructed, the view wouldn't be as bad, making the best of a bad situation.
The next public hearing is on Sept. 9, 2008 at Broadview Middle School at 7:00 P.M. This follows the hearing at 2:00 P.M. At 3:00 P.M. to provide the applicant, parties, and intervenors an opportunity to cross-examine positions. And to start the day the CT Siting council will conduct a public field review of the proposed site on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, beginning at 2:00 P,M. The applicant will fly a balloon during the field review to simulate the height of the proposed facility.
For additional opposition information read:
THE ENVIRONMENT
Cell Tower Battles Are Often A "Them Against Us" Fight
Stuart Lieberman, Esq.
Once the Connecticut Siting Council approves a location it is all but impossible to stop the construction. Federal guidelines supersede local regulation in most cases. It becomes a battle of lawyers, and grass roots community organizations often do not have as deep pockets at international communications companies. This is an economic battle, effecting their profits.
The fight against construction cannot be won on safety concerns, as long as the site adheres to United States of America federal standards. The best course of action may be to insist upon camouflage. If, and I stress IF, the location cannot be changed then the requirement for the installation MUST be: the site be as hidden from view as is technically possible.First, camouflage would increase the cost of the site, reducing the Return On Investment. It is this economic pressure that is most likely to influence the tower operator. By forcing the ROI to decrease they may be more likely to choose another site, in order to increase their profit. Second, from an aesthetics perspective, if constructed, the view wouldn't be as bad, making the best of a bad situation.
The next public hearing is on Sept. 9, 2008 at Broadview Middle School at 7:00 P.M. This follows the hearing at 2:00 P.M. At 3:00 P.M. to provide the applicant, parties, and intervenors an opportunity to cross-examine positions. And to start the day the CT Siting council will conduct a public field review of the proposed site on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, beginning at 2:00 P,M. The applicant will fly a balloon during the field review to simulate the height of the proposed facility.
For additional opposition information read:
THE ENVIRONMENT
Cell Tower Battles Are Often A "Them Against Us" Fight
Stuart Lieberman, Esq.
Photo By perrygrl on Flickr © All Rights Reserved.
ADDED September 9, 2008
The official proceedings can be found at the Ct Siting Council site, Docket 366: Danbury .
To see a proposed view of after the tower is built view the docket.
Labels: camouflage, Cell, Connecicut, Danbury, Phone, Siting Council, Stadley Rough, Tower
posted by Donuts and Coffee at 1:24 PM
2 Comments:
If the property owner of the site and the parishioners don't want the tower, HOW is it even moving forward?
To the best of my knowledge, the previous property owner wanted the tower and the siting committee agreed.
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