Yorktown board denies Homeland Towers permits for proposed cell tower at 62 Granite Springs Road

The Town Board of Yorktown voted to deny Homeland Towers LLC’s application for wetlands, stormwater and tree permits for a proposed wireless telecommunications facility at 62 Granite Springs Road, the board announced after a public hearing and review of the application.

Chair (Speaker 1) read the board’s draft resolution, which cited several deficiencies in the applicant’s record: an alleged inaccurate wetland delineation, lack of construction drawings, inadequate mitigation for protected species (including concerns about bog turtles), and an absence of empirical drive-test data (RSRP/RSRQ or in-home signal tests) to demonstrate a service gap. The resolution concluded that the proposed action “is not consistent with Town Code chapter 178” and recommended denial of the wetlands, stormwater and tree permits.

Committee member (Speaker 2), who moved to adopt the resolution, framed the decision as an exercise of local authority: “Home rule is important because it gives local governments the authority to govern their own affairs and respond directly to the needs of their communities,” the member said, urging the board to reflect residents’ concerns raised in letters and public comments.

A board member who said they supported the permit denial but had recommended edits to the resolution told colleagues they would abstain from the vote because of language concerns. The motion was seconded and the board took the action after brief discussion and vote.

The resolution also described visual impacts found in the applicant’s visual simulations: the proposed monopole would be visible in leaf-off conditions from multiple vantage points, expose roughly half the tower’s height above the tree line, and affect an arc of about 50 residences that form a semi-circular viewshed across a valley of wetlands. The revised environmental assessment form referenced in the record also stated that about 0.65 acres would be impacted by the project, though the plan’s mitigation plantings totaled roughly 0.25 acres.

Town staff and several board members stressed that certain technical items were missing from the applicant’s submission. The resolution notes that the applicant did not provide requested drive-test data or construction drawings and did not complete a wildlife survey to evaluate impacts to bog turtles, a federally threatened species.

Next steps: the board’s denial closes the town-level permit path for the proposed lease and construction from the applicant in its current form. The resolution notes that the applicant would not be authorized to move forward without wetlands permit authorization and a town lease, and that the town may require additional technical documentation in future applications or appeals.

Actions recorded: the board considered and adopted a resolution to deny the wetland, stormwater and tree permit applications and to find the proposed lease not in the town’s interest based on the stated deficiencies. The motion was made publicly and seconded during the March 10 work session; at least one member said they would abstain because of specific language they hoped to edit before a final version.