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Zoning board approves AT&T small-cell replacement at right-of-way adjacent to 11 Crowley St.
Summary
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special-permit request from New Cingular Wireless (AT&T) to install a replacement small-cell wireless facility on an existing utility pole adjacent to 11 Crowley Street after the company said a prior site had to be removed by the utility company.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on April 28 unanimously approved a special permit allowing New Cingular Wireless PCS LLC (operating as AT&T) to install a replacement small-cell wireless facility on an existing utility pole in the public right-of-way adjacent to 11 Crowley Street.
The applicant’s attorney, Edward Perry of Brown Rudnick, told the board the relocation was necessary because National Grid required removal of an existing facility at Meadowcroft Street and AT&T needed to move the equipment to maintain coverage. “We comply with all FCC requirements,” Perry said, adding the installation will use an existing pole and will include a two-foot antenna cylinder roughly 16 inches in diameter plus an equipment cabinet and fiber conduit to provide power and backhaul.
The board’s approval followed brief, supportive remarks from multiple members, who described the installation as small and minimally intrusive. Member Prokop said he had no questions and would vote in favor; Member Harvey and others also said they would approve. Member McCarthy noted the technology “keeps getting smaller and smaller” and called the impact “almost negligible.”
Motion and vote details are recorded in the board minutes: Member McCarthy moved to approve the special permit; Member Prokop seconded. The roll call recorded approvals from Chairman Peck, Vice Chairman Callahan, Member McCarthy, Member Harvey, Member Prokop, Member Nixon and Member Nickerson; the motion passed unanimously.
The application required special-permit approval from the zoning board under section 7.6 of the zoning ordinance and a city council grant of location, which Perry said the council had unanimously approved the previous month. Board members invited no additional conditions; staff did not identify required follow-up actions during the meeting.
The permit authorizes installation at the specified right-of-way adjacent to 11 Crowley Street. The company said it will use the existing pole and bring electricity and fiber conduits for the equipment; details of final engineering and any required utility coordination will be handled through the city’s permitting and grant-of-location processes.
The board concluded the item and the applicant was thanked for attending.
