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DOCKET NO. 260 – Bay Communications Inc. application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the construction, maintenance and operation of a telecommunications facility in |
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Siting Council |
Opinion
On May 30, 2003, Sprint Spectrum, L.P. (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 Goshen, Connecticut. In its application, Sprint proposed two alternative locations as the possible site for its facility, a site identified as Candidate A located at
At the Candidate A site, Sprint would construct a 195-monopole capable of accommodating six carriers and municipal antennas. At the Candidate B site, Sprint would construct a 150-monopole capable of accommodating three carriers and municipal antennas. At each site, Sprint would lease a 100-foot by 100-foot parcel within which it would develop a gravel-surfaced, fenced compound for ground equipment. The compound at Candidate A would be 40 feet by 40 feet; at Candidate B it would be 50 feet by 50 feet.
The Candidate A site is located in a cleared area that would not require the removal of any trees. Access to this site would require upgrading existing dirt paths to gravel roads. The Candidate B site is set in a heavily wooded area. Its development would require the removal of a number trees. A gravel road would have to be cut through the woods and would have to cross an intermittent watercourse.
Both sites are in a RA-5 (Residential-Agriculture) zoning district within which telecommunications facilities are allowed as a special permit use.
The visual impact of each site on its neighbors and from Route 63 is expected to be minimal. The Candidate A site should have less visibility than the Candidate B site, and most of the area from which the Candidate A site would be visible is on property owned or served by the Woodridge Lake Sewer District. The Candidate A site also has a greater separation from its nearest residential neighbors than the Candidate B site. Of the two sites, Town officials have expressed a preference for Candidate A.
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 tower 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 this 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 Candidate A site at 113 Brush Hill Road, Goshen, Connecticut at a height no greater than 195 feet and deny the certification of the Candidate B site at 416 Old Middle Street, Goshen, Connecticut.