Opinion

On October 17, 2003, AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T Wireless) 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 Farmington, Connecticut. AT&T Wireless identified one proposed site, known as CT-409.

The CT-409 site is on a 71.8 acre parcel owned by Hyde Road Development, LLC and is located at the end of Executive Drive with an address of Hyde Road/Executive Drive. In this location, AT&T Wireless would lease a 100-foot by 100-foot area within which it would construct an 80-foot by 80-foot fenced telecommunications compound. AT&T Wireless would construct a 150-foot tall monopole tower and initially mount three antennas in a three-sector configuration via T-arm or flush mount. AT&T Wireless’ antennas would be mounted at the 150-foot level of the tower and would extend three feet above the top of the tower. At a later date when warranted by growth in service demand, AT&T Wireless would install three more antennas for a total of six (two antennas per sector). For the six antennas, AT&T Wireless would most likely use a T-arm or platform mount. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Verizon) is also interested in using the proposed facility. Verizon seeks to collocate at the 140-foot level of the tower. Verizon would mount twelve antennas on a triangular platform.

Access to the proposed site would extend from the end of Executive Drive over an existing paved right-of-way approximately 440 feet long and continue along a new 12-foot wide gravel drive approximately 442 feet to the proposed compound. Utilities for the proposed facility would extend underground from Executive Drive and generally follow the access drive to the proposed compound. The compound would be enclosed by an 8-foot tall security fence with barbed wire.

There are no known existing populations of federal or state endangered, threatened, or species of special concern at the proposed site. The proposed facility would have no effect on historic, architectural or archaeological resources listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed site would also have no effect on the properties of cultural importance to Connecticut’s Native American communities.

Propagation maps indicate that there is a need for wireless service in this area of Farmington. Also, the proposed site would be located in an area zoned Earth Excavation, and there are no residences located within a 1000-foot radius of the proposed site. The closest home is 1150 feet to the southeast. The dominant visual intrusions in the area are the two towers located on Rattlesnake Mountain. Also, the nearest wetland area is 10 to 12 feet from the proposed compound, but no wetlands are expected to be disturbed by the proposed project.

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 the tower.

The Council, however, is concerned that the tower setback radius would not lie completely within the property of Hyde Road Development, LLC. To address this concern, the Council would require that the tower be shifted approximately 30 feet to the east within the proposed compound and that the tower be designed with a yield point to ensure that the entire tower setback radius would remain within the property boundaries of Hyde Road Development, LLC.

For these reasons and based on the record in this proceeding, we find that the effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of a telecommunications facility at the proposed CT-409 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 on the property at Hyde Road/Executive Drive in Farmington, Connecticut that will include a monopole tower at a height of 150 feet.