Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wireless Upgrades topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves T‑Mobile upgrades and special‑permit renewal at Lourdes Hospital
Summary
The planning committee approved a two‑part action to renew a special use permit and authorize upgrades to T‑Mobile's rooftop facility at 55 Palmer Avenue, citing an eligible‑facilities request under section 409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act and 47 CFR 1.6100.
Michael Sheridan, attorney with Snyder & Snyder LLP representing T‑Mobile Northeast LLC, asked the board to approve two related actions for equipment work at the carrier's existing facility on the roof of Lourdes Hospital, 55 Palmer Avenue: renewal of a special use permit and an amendment to authorize upgrades. Sheridan said the project is an "eligible facilities request" under section 409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and the implementing regulation, 47 CFR 1.6100, and that if it meets the regulation's criteria the municipality is required to approve the proposed work.
Sheridan outlined technical criteria the company said the project satisfies: no height increase greater than 10 feet (he estimated about a 1‑foot increase for one antenna), antennas will not protrude more than 6 feet from existing edges, no excavation is required because the work is on the roof, and cabinet counts will not increase overall (two cabinets removed, two added). He said the design review committee reviewed the changes and had no objections. During questioning a board member raised concerns about radio‑frequency shielding and line‑of‑sight issues; Sheridan responded, "I mean, I'm I'm not an RF engineer, but... my understanding is in most situations that is enough of obstruction," describing the roof as an intervening barrier. The committee voted first to confirm the special use permit finding and then to approve the amendment for the upgrades.
