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Selectmen refer Planning Board's updated wireless-telecom bylaw to public hearing
Summary
The Planning Board revised Article 21 to add a new wireless telecommunications zoning section (13.08) requiring EME/MPE exposure calculations, light and sound analyses, and cumulative emissions reporting; the Selectmen voted to send the article back to the Planning Board for public hearing on April 14.
The Nahant Board of Selectmen voted March 25 to refer a Planning Board's revision of the town's wireless telecommunications zoning bylaw (Article 21) back to the Planning Board for formal public hearings.
Town Administrator Allison said the Planning Board had updated warrant language and the draft bylaw and asked Planning Board Chair Sheila to explain the changes. Sheila said a recent building inspectional services application to modify equipment at the tower behind the police station, where Crown Castle leases space and T-Mobile sought upgrades, revealed gaps in the town's 2009 bylaw that the Planning Board wants to address.
"They were well within all the rules and regulations on levels of exposure of radio frequency emissions," Sheila said of the carriers' prior filings, adding that the Planning Board nonetheless proposes clearer local requirements so future upgrades include cumulative exposure data. She said the new text would add a dedicated Section 13.08 and specify submission materials.
The draft calls explicitly for an EME/MPE exposure calculation, a light analysis, a sound analysis comparing proposed to existing installations, and requirements for collecting EFR (electromagnetic field response) data for future filings. Sheila said the Planning Board also updated consultant-fee language and other provisions that had not kept pace since 2009.
Selectmen and Planning Board members discussed the schedule and required notices. Planning Board representatives said, if referred, the item will be published March 31 and April 7, with a public hearing scheduled for April 14. They said notices will go to the town clerk, abutters including the city of Lynn, the Attorney General's office, and the state housing and community development offices; a Form 7 to the AG would be required if the bylaw is later approved.
The Selectmen then moved to send Article 21 back to the Planning Board to begin the hearing process; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
The Planning Board also plans a short informational meeting with Crown Castle, T-Mobile and the board's consultant before the public hearing to walk residents through the technical reports.
