Action to Minimize Cell Tower Blight
By Jeffrey Anzevino
As America's love affair with wireless telecommunications thrives, more cell towers are littering our landscapes. Scenic Hudson, Inc. receives a steady flow of citizen complaints about applications for wireless facilities in their neighborhoods. But there is hope.
Ulster County Efforts
The Ulster County Supervisor's Association has rallied 11 of the county's 20 municipalities to consider a regional approach to cell towers. This effort could lead to consistency in local protective laws and formation of a consortium to review applications. "We are about to be deluged by tower applications," said Town of Marbletown Supervisor Thomas Jackson. "Individually we are sitting ducks."
Legislative Action
A bill before the New York State Legislature (A.7442) would subject cell tower applications in rights-of-way along Westchester County's "special" parkways - the Taconic, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, Cross County and Sprain Brook - to local zoning laws. Currently cell towers are not subject to local zoning.
Taconic State Parkway
As of this date, Crown Communication's plan for dozens of 120-foot towers along the Taconic State Parkway appears to be on the back burner. Meanwhile, service providers are quietly siting towers on private property up and down the parkway. |
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| Enormous cell towers are littering our beautiful landscapes |
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