The New York State Supreme Court’s recent decision to reject a group’s petition over the Rensselaerville planning board’s approval of a public safety tower may spell the end of a zoning battle that pitted public safety officials against local artists.
Last week, the leader of the group Scenic Rensselaerville, which was formed in opposition to a planned communications tower in the rural landscape, called the Albany County Sheriff to inform him the group was not planning on appealing the recent court decision, reports The Altamont Enterprise.
Craig Apple, the Albany County Sheriff, was a strong proponent of the tower and the coverage it would provide in dead zones. According to Apple, the tower will be the last one to complete a countywide ring of towers that will provide reliable communication between the county’s law enforcement agencies.
Scenic Rensselaerville’s leader Jeannette Rice sent a letter to members of the group informing them of its decision to not appeal the court’s ruling. In the letter, Rice said the group’s attorney advised against an appeal.
“Given the judge’s earlier statements and his recognition that the case had ‘standing’ due to the injuries the tower would cause to local artists, this was a surprise and disappointment,” Rice said in the letter sent to the group.
The tower will be 180’ lattice-designed structure. It will support microwave and radio equipment and, potentially, cellular antennas in the future.
January 9, 2017
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