Monopoles, micro-cell towers, and camouflaged sites have the potential to be a more functional and more attractive addition to the town of Tonawanda, NY than the current 200-foot lattice towers in place near residential areas. However, the town recently put a prohibition on activity to implement these advancements, which can last up to 180 days, while waiting for town codes to be updated.
According to the Buffalo News, to prepare for future technologies, such as self-driving cars, the town needs to address certain codes, which was discussed by the Planning Board on Wednesday. The Board is in favor of monopoles and co-location, more discreet options that are housed in streetlights and utility poles. This stealthy technology is preferred by the Planning Board not only from an aesthetic standpoint but bringing the town into the 21st-century. “This is very complicated,” Planning Board Chairman Kenneth Swanekamp said.
Some of the codes under consideration restrict new cell towers no higher than 175 feet in residential areas. Also, co-location of new antennae on existing poles, including stealth camouflage technology, are being considered. The changes to the code are necessary to avoid over-saturation of towers in certain areas. According to Councilman Joe Bargnesi, Jr., utilities are seeking to build more towers in the Town of Tonawanda due to restrictions in nearby towns, such as Amherst. If these new codes are put in place, the number of towers built and the parameters around their size will be a welcome change for the Town of Tonawanda.
During the next Board meeting, scheduled for May 3, Wendel Engineering will present additional proposed amendments, the Buffalo News reported. Even if the Planning Board approves the proposed code changes, the amendments will still need to be addressed at a public hearing and receive approval from the Town Board before going into effect.
April 10, 2017
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