Aware of the long term implications of next generation wireless networks on their cityscape, North Salem and Somers, NY, and other towns near New York City are working with CityScape Consultants on a master telecom plan to prepare for the 5G buildout, according to North Salem News.
But in the short term, North Salem must figure out how to respond to a 100-foot “monopine” tower proposed next to the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden by Homeland Towers LLC and Verizon Wireless, which may be seen from nearby Baxter Preserve.
To site the tower, Homeland and Verizon will need conditional use and site development approvals, in addition to a wetlands permit and side yard area variance, according to the publication.
In response, the town hired Pittsburgh-based Cohen Law Group to explain how federal regulations impact local zoning codes, and it brought in a consulting engineer, Ronald Graiff, to advise on RF emissions.
Homeland Towers has agreed to toll the FCC shot clock, while the planning board holds public hearings on the project. Homeland has responded with changes to an updated RF engineering report.
The review date is set for January 20, 2022, when the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will begin the 45-day shot clock to act on the building permit.
Back in April 2019, Homeland began researching two possible locations: a 100-foot tower near the Hammond Museum and a 115-foot tower behind the stroll garden, which met with immediate opposition from neighbors who feared for their property values, according to the North Salem News.
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