Planning commission recommends Common Council consider wireless communication facilities local law

The City of Oneida Planning Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously June 9 to recommend that the Common Council proceed with final review and consideration of a proposed amendment to Chapter 190 concerning wireless communication facilities and towers.

The board said the draft law is intended to provide clearer standards on definitions, permitted zoning districts, conditional use and site plan review, height and setback limitations, co‑location and design standards, safety, abandonment and removal, financial security and annual certification. "The matter was before the Board for advisory recommendation to the Common Council," the minutes state.

Commissioners moved and seconded motions to recommend that the Common Council classify the proposed action as a Type I action under 6 NYCRR Part 617 and to issue a Negative Declaration, both carried unanimously. Board members emphasized that approval of the advisory recommendation does not authorize construction of any specific wireless facility; any future project would be subject to Conditional Use Permit review, Site Plan Review, SEQRA, building permits and applicable federal, state and local regulations.

Madison County Planning review under General Municipal Law §239‑m was noted as pending. The next procedural step is consideration by the Common Council, which is the SEQRA lead agency and will conduct the public hearing as part of the local law adoption process.