Opinion

On March 19, 2004, AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T Wireless) 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 Town of Westbrook, Connecticut. AT&T Wireless is proposing to develop its facility on property located on the east side of Horse Hill Road (State Route 145) south of Christina Lane. The property is owned by the Norwich Diocesan Cemetery Corporation , which uses it for the Resurrection Cemetery. By locating a facility at this location, AT&T would be seeking to cover the northwest section of Westbrook in the vicinity of State Route 145.

AT&T Wireless’s facility would consist of a 160-foot high self-supporting monopole on which it could install up to twelve antennas on a platform at the top of the tower — the overall height of the tower, when the height of the antennas is included, would not exceed 163 feet. To accommodate ground equipment, AT&T Wireless would create a 70-foot by 85-foot compound within an 80-foot by 100-foot lease area. The compound would be enclosed by an 8-foot high chain link fence.

Access to the proposed compound would extend easterly from Horse Hill Road, approximately 600 feet along a 12-foot wide gravel drive. The first 400 feet of this drive would utilize an existing unpaved driveway. Utilities would extend underground from Horse Hill Road and would run along the access drive to the facility compound.

The area where the facility compound would be located is in a wooded area comprised of a variety of deciduous trees. Approximately 17 trees with a diameter greater than twelve inches at breast height would be removed during the development of the proposed access road and compound.

The proposed tower should have limited visibility as it will be screened by existing, mature trees. The tower would be visible year-round from approximately 22 acres in the surrounding vicinity.

There are no known existing populations of state endangered, threatened, or species of special concern at the proposed site. A facility at this location would not have any effect on architectural or archaeological resources.

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 proposed facility would enable AT&T Wireless to serve an area where it does not currently have coverage without creating serious environmental impacts or a deleterious effect on the area’s landscape.

Therefore, the Council finds that the effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed telecommunications facility, 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 160-foot monopole tower and associated ground equipment on the Norwich Diocesan Cemetery Corporation property at Horse Hill Road, Westbrook, Connecticut.