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Guilderland zoning board approves small‑cell utility pole on Schoolhouse Road despite resident concerns
Summary
The Town of Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special use permit May 20 to allow a 46-foot utility pole with a single small‑cell antenna on Schoolhouse Road. The applicant agreed to county permitting, required setbacks and a removal bond after residents raised property-value and health concerns.
The Town of Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4‑0 May 20 to approve a special use permit allowing a 46‑foot utility pole with a single small‑cell antenna and related equipment within an Albany County highway right‑of‑way near 215 Schoolhouse Road.
Why it matters: The decision clears a local land‑use hurdle for Cellco Partnership to install wireless infrastructure in a county right‑of‑way, drawing objections from nearby homeowners who said they worry about property values and potential health effects.
Town engineer Jesse Fraine said he reviewed materials submitted by the applicant’s engineer and asked that the board require specific setbacks from infrastructure points of interest. Julie Monahan, representing the applicant, told the board the company will apply for permits from the Albany County Department of Public Works, provide the requested setbacks and post a removal bond to guarantee future removal if needed.
Two nearby residents spoke during public comment. Robert Bubonia said he remained concerned about the effect on property values; Keith LaJoy asked whether alternative pole locations had been explored and raised concerns about health effects from the installation. The transcript records those concerns but contains no engineering analysis or data provided by the residents to quantify either effect.
Chairwoman Elizabeth Lott moved to close the public hearing; the motion was seconded by Richard Villa and passed. Lott then moved to approve the special use permit; Sharon Cupoli seconded the motion and the board approved the permit by a 4‑0 vote (Lott, Ventresca‑Cohen, Villa and Cupoli voting yes).
Next steps: The applicant must secure required permits from the Albany County Department of Public Works and satisfy the board’s conditions for setbacks and a removal bond before installation, according to representations made at the hearing. The board did not record any additional conditions beyond those commitments in the transcript.
