Opinion

On November 1, 2002, Sprint Spectrum d/b/a Sprint PCS (Sprint) applied to the Connecticut Siting Council (Council) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) for the construction, maintenance and operation of a wireless telecommunications facility to be located in the Town of Plainfield, Connecticut at one of two locations identified as 180 Town Farm Road (Candidate A) and 47-51 Unity Street (Candidate B). The primary purpose of the proposed facility would be to provide wireless telecommunications coverage to that portion of Route 14 not served by Sprint’s existing telecommunications facilities and to improve service in areas surrounding Plainfield by working in conjunction with Sprint’s existing and proposed sites.

Sprint proposes to construct a 170-foot monopole facility at 180 Town Farm Road, identified as Candidate A, or a 160-foot monopole facility at 47-51 Unity Street, identified as Candidate B. At either location, Sprint’s proposed facility would be built to accommodate at least two additional wireless carriers.

Candidate A is located in a wooded area covered almost exclusively by young red maples. The site is accessible over a narrow, unpaved remnant of an abandoned town road. Access would be improved by widening and graveling the path to the site. Candidate B is located on cleared land behind the Town of Plainfield’s highway garage. Access to this site is over existing driveways. No wetlands were identified near to either site. Neither proposed site contains known extant populations of federal or state Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern Species. Construction at either site would not affect the state's archaeological heritage. Furthermore, there are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places or any National Historic districts in the vicinity of the proposed sites.

Both of the proposed sites are located in a residential zone. A monopole at either site would be partially visible from small portions of the Central Village Historic District.

Electromagnetic radio frequency power density levels are a concern of the Council. However, the radio frequency power density levels at the base of the proposed towers would be well below federal and State standards for the frequencies used by wireless

companies. If federal or state standards change, the Council will require that the tower be brought into compliance with such standards. The Council will require that the power densities be remodeled in the event other carriers add antennas to this tower.

Based on the record in this proceeding, we find that the effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the telecommunications facility at the proposed site, including effects on the natural environment; ecological integrity and balance; public health and safety; scenic, historic, and recreational values; forests and parks; air and water purity; and fish and wildlife are not disproportionate either alone or cumulatively with other effects when compared to need, are not in conflict with policies of the State concerning such effects, and are not sufficient reason to deny this application. Therefore, we will issue a Certificate for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a telecommunications facility at the proposed Candidate B site located at 47-51 Unity Street, Plainfield, Connecticut.

The Council will order that utilities be installed underground, and that if the tower ceases to provide wireless service, the Certificate Holder shall dismantle the tower and remove the associated equipment within 60 days or reapply for any continued or new use by the Council.

Our decision will be conditioned upon the Certificate Holder submitting a Development and Management Plan for approval by the Council prior to commencement of any construction at the facility site.