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Planning board tables Verizon's 190-foot telecom tower request pending third-party engineering review
Summary
After a detailed technical Q&A on FAA lighting, generators, batteries, noise, and emergency access, the board tabled the environmental and site-plan review for Tarpon Towers LLC and Verizon's proposed 190-foot telecommunications facility at 6507 Lowell Road until July 14 so the city can obtain third-party engineering review and departmental comments.
The Planning Board tabled review of a proposed 190-foot telecommunications tower at 6507 Lowell Road after questioning the petitioner about technical and public-safety issues and before completing required departmental reviews.
A Verizon representative identified in the record as "Steve body" described the tower as a three-legged structure designed for collocation that would bring commercial power and fiber to the site, include battery backup and a propane generator, and sit on property owned by Cranesville Block Company in the city's general industrial district. He said the site was chosen for elevation and line-of-sight coverage.
Board members asked about FAA lighting (tower height with lightning rod below 200 feet likely avoids obstruction lighting), the potential for a nearby private airstrip, generator type (petitioner specified propane), battery and noise profiles, and whether the site design would allow fire apparatus access. The petitioner and staff agreed the city would solicit third-party engineering proposals, place escrow funds to cover review costs, and aim to have that review available for the board on July 14.
Because departmental comments and a third-party engineering memo had not been returned, the board moved to table the environmental-review and site-plan items and set them for reconsideration at the next planning meeting. The motion to table items five and six passed by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: City staff will solicit third-party engineering proposals and circulate departmental comments; the petitioner expects to provide additional documentation and may be placed on the July 14 agenda for a follow-up review and vote.
