Rising Tide Towers LLC is speaking before the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to promote its plan to build a 300-foot lighted, lattice style cell tower in Rangeley, ME. According to MaineBiz, the project is supported by AT&T and has the backing of the federal FirstNet program. Maine almost got its new tower in 2019, but zoning concerns kept that initiative grounded.
Plans for the earlier tower proposed a 190-foot tall structure. However, since the new parcel is at an elevation that is 150 feet lower, Rising Tide and AT&T say that a cell tower at this site must be at least 300 feet tall to address the coverage gap in the area. The increased height also necessitates a lighted beacon to warn aircraft of its presence.
In a public comment, one local resident wrote that both versions of the plan were objectionable. “The previous plan was rejected because the project was located too close to residential and recreational property,” noted local resident, John Margolis. “It appears to me that the new location is not significantly different from the last plan. The adjustments really make no significant, practical difference from the rejected site.”
In an earlier presentation, Rising Tide informed the Planning Commission that one reason for selecting the new site was that it did not come into conflict with residential zoning requirements, reported MaineBiz. The Rangeley Village location in the Dallas Plantation is remote enough that plans include the construction of a half-mile access road to even reach the site.
A Commission hearing is set to review the current cell tower proposal.
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