Cheektowaga advisory committee tables review of proposed Verizon tower pending agency responses, schedules balloon test

The Cheektowaga Environmental Advisory Committee on April tabled consideration of a proposed 24-foot wireless telecommunications tower for 2733 William to await outstanding reviews from state and utility agencies and to allow completion of a required balloon test.

Dan Young, town planner, told the committee that the planning board had called a public hearing on the project and that the applicant had filed for a balloon test set for May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an alternate date of May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Young said the Erie County Department of Environmental Planning submitted comments but made no recommendation.

“National Grid has seen the application but we have not received a response indicating either way whether they have a concern,” Young said. He told members the Thruway Authority had also submitted technical comments and that those comments were in the project circulation to the applicant and project team.

A project representative identified in the meeting as Steven said the project team had received the “three-way comments” and was working to update plans. “We’ve seen the three-way comments that you’ve read there and are working on getting the plans updated to reflect those requested changes,” Steven said.

Committee and project statements summarized the technical requests from the New York State Thruway Authority as read into the record: a plan view showing the offset from the base of the proposed monopole to the edge of Thruway Authority pavement, demonstration of a roughly 62-foot radius from the hinge point (described in the record as a “62 foot value radius from the hitch point”), and complete monopole foundation design plans including anchor-bolt size, embedment, footing details, reinforcement and pile depths. The Thruway Authority also requested labeling changes on specific plan sheets and a clearer elevation view that demonstrates the hinge point and associated dimensions.

Steven said the project team had resubmitted a revised Environmental Assessment Form to account for the updated tower location. He told the committee the nearest dwelling now showed a setback of about 272 feet (previously shown as about 121 feet) and that the plan showed roughly 117 feet to a nearby power line, though the applicant said the power line distances may be larger and the team would confirm with National Grid.

Committee members discussed whether to proceed or wait for outstanding responses. One member noted that National Grid’s input could raise issues if found after approvals. A motion to table the committee’s recommendation until the balloon test was held and until comments from National Grid and other agencies and any public hearing comments were received was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The planning board has scheduled a public hearing on the project tied to the balloon test; the committee indicated it will revisit the item after the balloon test, any resulting public hearing, and agency comments are available.