Location could be a determining factor in what type of towers are built around New Canaan, reported the NC Advertiser. An initial proposal by consultant Glenn Chalder of Planimetrics recommends taller towers for the sparsely-populated northern part of town and smaller towers with co-location capabilities for the more densely populated and traffic-heavy southern part of town.
According to a memo from Chalder, the regulations need to be updated “to reflect the current regulatory environment for towers and telecommunication facilities,” especially since different agencies have control over infrastructure.
The NC Advertiser reported that the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) has jurisdiction of towers with most telecommunications equipment, and the state Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) controls antennas placed on electric utility poles. Additionally, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) controls antennas mounted on existing buildings, as well as on towers installed primarily for local public safety use. Lastly, the town also plays a larger role when any tower is placed on municipal land, even while the CSC makes a final decision.
According to the draft recommendation, the goal is to “protect the town’s visual quality and minimize any adverse visual impacts of wireless communication facilities through proper design, siting, and screening. For new towers, New Canaan expresses its preference that the number of towers be minimized, especially visually prominent ground-mounted towers.”
The P&Z is working to revise the New Canaan zoning regulations’ Telecommunication Facility section and will hold a hearing to solicit public feedback before any formal vote is taken.
Published January 17, 2018
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