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Zoning board approves Verizon use variance for 121 Parker Avenue, asks for clearer site plan and more screening
Summary
The Poughkeepsie City Zoning Board of Appeals approved a use variance for a proposed Verizon wireless tower at 121 Parker Avenue but pressed the applicant to reduce the number of area variances, add screening or landscaping and return with a detailed site plan at the May 13 meeting.
The Poughkeepsie City Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday approved a use variance for a proposed Verizon Wireless tower at 121 Parker Avenue but instructed the applicant to narrow requested area variances and provide a more detailed site plan and screening proposals before the board takes further action.
The decision came after legal and planning staff explained that federal law gives strong weight to requests by public utilities to fill gaps in cellular service. Joanna Longcourt, assistant corporation counsel, told the board that "a use variance ... is something that a board must grant if the public utility demonstrates a need," subject to avoiding "a very . . . serious detriment to the community." The board then voted to adopt the use-variance resolution as written.
The board’s action clears the path for Verizon’s project to move forward to the planning-board site-plan review, but members repeatedly urged the applicant to eliminate or limit several area variances the application sought and…
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