Opinion

On November 17, 2003, Sprint Spectrum, L.P. (Sprint) applied to the Connecticut Siting Council (Council) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) for the construction, maintenance and operation of a wireless telecommunications facility to be located in the City of Torrington, Connecticut. Sprint identified two possible sites where its proposed facility might be located. One site, identified as Candidate A, was located off of Burr Mountain Road, in the vicinity of the entrance to Burr Pond State Park, on property owned by O&G Industries. The other site, identified as Candidate B, was located near the corner of Jordan Lane and Laurelton Drive on property owned by Derwin and Alma Vaill. Verizon Wireless (Verizon) became a party to Sprint’s application.

The Candidate A site is located on a 191 acre parcel, part of which is used as an active quarry. The property is zoned for industrial use. At this location, Sprint would lease a 100-foot by 100-foot area within which it would develop a 75-foot by 75-foot telecommunications compound that would include a 198-foot high monopole tower capable of supporting six carriers. The tower’s setback radius would partially encroach on two adjacent properties. Sprint would install antennas on a platform mounted at the 195-foot level of the tower. Verizon indicated it would install antennas on a platform mounted at the 185-foot level. The City of Torrington’s Police Department and Public Works Department would also be interested in placing antennas on Sprint’s tower at either location.

Candidate A is located in an undeveloped, forested area of hemlocks and black birch. Outcroppings of ledge in the vicinity of the proposed facility would make relocation of the compound difficult. Access to the site would be via a gravel drive that would be brought in approximately 580 feet from Burr Mountain Road. Utilities would be brought to the site overhead from Burr Mountain Road due the shallow depth of ledge rock in the area. The compound would be enclosed by a 6-foot tall chain link security fence with barbed wire on top. There are two residences within 1,000 feet of Candidate A.

The Candidate A tower would have year-round visibility from approximately 92 acres in the surrounding vicinity including portions of Burr Pond State Park and hiking trails in the area.

Sprint’s Candidate B site is on a 41-acre parcel on the east side of Route 8. This property is zoned for residential use (R-25) and was undeveloped at the time of application. At this location, Sprint would lease a 100-foot by 100-foot area within which it would develop a 70-foot by 70-foot compound and erect a 122 foot tall monopole capable of supporting three carriers. This tower’s setback radius would be contained within the host property. At this location, Sprint would install antennas on a platform at the 120-foot level, and Verizon would install antennas on a platform at the 110-foot level.

Sprint’s Candidate B site is located in a semi-open area within a large wooded area. There is evidence of some cutting of trees in the vicinity. Access to the site would be via a gravel access drive that would traverse approximately 925 feet from the corner of Jordan Lane and Laurelton Drive. Utility service would be brought underground to the site close to the path of the access drive. The compound would be enclosed by a six-foot high chain link fence with barbed at the top. There are five residences within 1,000 feet of Candidate B.

The Candidate B tower would have year-round visibility from approximately 79 acres in the surrounding vicinity but should not be visible from the closest residences.

There are no known existing populations of state endangered, threatened, or species of special concern at either proposed site. A facility at either location would not have any effect on historic, architectural or archaeological resources listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The radio frequency power density levels at the base of the proposed tower would be well below federal and State standards for the frequencies used by wireless companies. If federal or state standards change, the Council will require that the tower be brought into compliance with such standards. The Council will require that the power densities be remodeled in the event other carriers add antennas to the tower.

Based on the record of this proceeding, the Council concludes that the Candidate A site would provide better coverage over the target area and would minimize the need for additional towers in the area. The Council also recognizes that there were no objections from neighbors regarding Candidate A while there were neighborhood objections to the Candidate B site. The Council, however, is concerned about the height of the tower at Candidate A and will order that the height of the proposed tower, including all attached appurtenances, does not exceed 198 feet as stated in Sprint’s application. The Council will also order the tower to be designed with a yield point in order to keep the setback radius on the O&G property.

Therefore, the Council finds that the effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the telecommunications facility at proposed Candidate A, including effects on the natural environment; ecological integrity and balance; public health and safety; scenic, historic, and recreational values; forests and parks; air and water purity; and fish and wildlife are not disproportionate either alone or cumulatively with other effects when compared to need, are not in conflict with policies of the State concerning such effects, and are not sufficient reason to deny this application. Therefore, the Council will issue a Certificate for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 198-foot monopole at the Candidate A site located off Burr Mountain Road in Torrington, Connecticut and will deny certification of the Candidate B site at Jordan Lane and Laurelton Drive.