Crown Castle’s proposal including plans to install towers and nodes on telephone poles and streetlights in Rye, NY on behalf of their client, Verizon Wireless, is being petitioned by City Council members. The plan will bolster Verizon’s wireless network in the area and Rye City Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein advocates for putting the proposal under more stringent environment review, risking litigation.
“As far as I know, there has been no change to Crown’s plan,” Tagger-Epstein said. “Unless there is something else presented to me, I don’t see any changes [in my vote].”
The proposal by Crown Castle includes plans to construct 72 wireless towers across the city, many of which are near residential areas. Residents voiced concerns over what effect the new equipment will have on property values. Tagger-Epstein told the Rye City Review she wants to see the proposal subjected to a full-on environmental impact statement, by issuing a positive declaration under the State Environmental Review Act, SEQR.
According to Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson, an outright denial of Crown Castle’s application or a positive declaration under SEQR will invite litigation. Per FCC, state and federal regulations, telecommunications companies have the right to construct towers on public land, provided local zoning ordinances are upheld.
According to the Rye City Review, considering the voting challenge amidst the Crown Castle proposal, the City Council is looking to approve a set of revisions in its telecommunications law, making this and future proposals easier to review. Specifically, the law will enable the council to dictate when and where new wireless towers can be constructed.
The votes of council members – for or against the plan – is contingent upon whether Crown Castle submits a revised proposal.
April 24, 2017
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