On December 14, the Rochester Planning Board held an informal discussion with general counselor Shayna Galinat of Industrial Communications Inc. regarding a new telecommunication tower on property located at 0 High Street.
Galinat outlined the project, saying tree removal would be limited to just those trees in close proximity to the tower’s envelope and that the monopole will be mounted to an 80-foot square space inside a 100-foot square envelope. Galinat also said that the project will go through the Zoning Board of Appeals process for a special permit as the plans call for a 100-foot setback versus the required 200-foot setback.
There was some discussion regarding the proposal’s demonstration of need for a new tower with Chairman Arnold Johnson noting, “Your narrative doesn’t say that.” Johnson advised Galinat that a $3,000 peer-review fee is required and that Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program needs to weigh in on the project.
Galinat said that after the ZBA hearing scheduled for January 13, further steps would be taken.
Also coming before the Planning Board informally were property owner John Weaver, Lots 2A Robinson Road, and contractor Benjie Borra of CSG Developers LLC for a proposed solar array of less than 200kw.
Weaver said the project would include underground electrical systems and planting to screen the array from a designated scenic roadway. There was some discussion as to the necessity of the solar array being 300 feet from the roadway versus the proposed 200 feet, a matter Johnson said would be reviewed with Town Counsel. No date was set for further review.
Another utility-related project that has been wending its way through various board meetings is that proposed by Renewable Energy and planned for 109 Neck Road. The project details include a dual-use aspect, solar generation and agricultural along an existing cranberry bog.
Representing the client was Stacey Minihane of Beals and Thomas. Minihane said that since the last meeting with the board, planting plans for screening purposes have been beefed up but that fencing alternatives are also in play. After some discourse, the board made it clear that chain-link fencing with privacy strips is out of the question and that stockade fencing would be the preferred material.
Henry Ouimet of Renewable Energy said that a five-utility-pole configuration previously proposed at the entranceway to the array, a design that had not sat well with abutters or the board, was revised to be only three poles. The hearing was continued to January 11, 2022.
William Milka, 241 New Bedford Road, requested a Form A, Approval Not Required that would allow him to reconfigure three lots, adding footage to the lot where his residence is located. This, he said, would grant him more flexibility in the future to access agricultural acreage behind the home. Presently, the only access to a cranberry bog Milka owns is by way of the house lot. The request was approved.
The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Planning Board
By Marilou Newell