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Planning board continues review of Homeland Towers application after visual presentation; hearing set for Aug. 7
Summary
The Town of Ancram Planning Board opened a public hearing on a proposed 150‑foot Homeland Towers/Verizon monopole, heard visual‑resource simulations and a balloon test, received opposing public testimony on safety and scenic impacts, tolled the federal shot clock and continued the hearing to Aug. 7.
The Town of Ancram Planning Board opened a public hearing July 9 on Homeland Towers LLC and Verizon Wireless’s joint application for a proposed 150‑foot monopole along Route 22 and continued the hearing to Aug. 7 while consultants review supplemental materials.
Town attorney John Lyons summarized the board’s role and review process, saying the planning board will carry out an environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and then apply site‑plan and special‑use criteria. “My name is John Lyons. I’m a land use lawyer. My firm is Grant and Lyons, and we’re the lawyers for the planning board,” Lyons told the meeting, noting the importance of public comment focused on the standards the board must apply.
Applicant counsel David Kenny said the proposal is intended to fill a Verizon coverage gap on Route 22 and allow future collocation and emergency‑communications antennas; Saratoga Associates presented a visual resource assessment based on an April 14 balloon test and photographic simulations. “The balloon test was conducted on 04/14/2025,” visual analyst Peter Gerardo stated during the presentation.
Public commenters split between safety and scenic concerns. Several residents and the property owner that offered the site said the valley lacks reliable cell service and that better coverage could improve emergency response; one resident recounted helping a stranded woman who could not call for help. Opponents, including an attorney representing neighborhood interests and the Conservation Advisory Council, argued the record lacks probative drive‑test data and that the site lies inside the Route 22 Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone with a 100‑foot height limit.
The board also addressed procedure: the applicant said the federal shot clock began on May 30, the parties agreed to toll the clock pending the applicant’s supplemental submission, and the board asked its technical and visual consultants to prepare comment. The board voted to continue the public hearing to Aug. 7 and adjourned until that date.
