Town of Carlisle
MASSACHUSETTS 01741
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Office of
PLANNING BOARD
66 Westford Street
Carlisle, Massachusetts 01741
Tel. (978) 369-9702
Fax (978) 369-4521
Minutes
June 25, 2007
Minutes 6/11/07
Bills
Budget
Preparation of Request for Proposals for Personal Wireless Communications Facilities on Town-owned land [Broadcast Signal Lab – Planning Board/joint subcommittee]
Continued Public Hearing: Definitive Subdivision Plan, Conservation Cluster and Common Driveway Special Permits for Chestnut Estates, at 400 Rutland Street, Map 36, Parcels 23 & 26, Richard P. Howe, Sr., Trustee of John Raymond Brown Revocable Trust, applicant.
Continued Public Hearing on application of Omnipoint Communications, Inc. for a special permit and site plan approval under Sec. 5.9 of the Carlisle Zoning Bylaws to install, operate and maintain a personal wireless communication facility at 1022 Westford Street (Map 18, Lot 42A) on property owned by Lawrence A. Sorli.
Informal discussion of conceptual plans of Sprint Spectrum and Nextel Communications to seek a special permit and site plan approval under Sec. 5.9 of the Carlisle Zoning Bylaws to install, operate and maintain a personal wireless communication facility at 27 School Street (First Religious Society) (Map 22, Lot 5), [Request of Joseph Pereira, Terrasearch, LLC]
Chair Michael Epstein called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm in the Clark Room at Town Hall. Board members Kent Gonzales, Greg Peterson, Brian Larson, Marc Lamere, and Planning Administrator George Mansfield were present. Carol Nathan arrived at 7:35 pm. Ken Hoffman was absent.
Gretchen Caywood, assistant to the Planning Administrator, Alan Carpenito (BOS), Martha Howe (Lowell, MA), Peter Yelle (Cross Street), Brian Lamoureux (Brown Rudnick), Joseph Pereira (TerraSearch, LLC) and Bob Zielinski (Carlisle Mosquito) were also in attendance.
Minutes
The PB reviewed the draft minutes of June 11, 2007, and several revisions were suggested. Peterson moved to approve the minutes as revised. Nathan seconded and the motion carried 6-0.
Continued Public Hearing: Definitive Subdivision Plan, Conservation Cluster and Common Driveway Special Permits for Chestnut Estates, at 400 Rutland Street, Map 36, Parcels 23 & 26, Richard P. Howe, Sr., Trustee of John Raymond Brown Revocable Trust, applicant.
Chair Epstein reopened this continued public hearing, and PB member Marc Lamere recused himself from this hearing, as he is an abutter to the site.
The PB reviewed the draft Decision for the Conservation Cluster Special Permit for Chestnut Estates, as well as the draft Decision for the Special Permit for the two proposed Common Driveways: Chestnut Lane and Twin Beech Road. After discussing revisions, the PB agreed to accept these Decisions as revised.
Martha Howe, attorney for the applicant, then presented all Mylar plans for PB signatures. Peterson then moved to close this public hearing, Larson seconded and the motion carried 5-0-1, with Lamere recused.
Continued Public Hearing on application of Omnipoint Communications, Inc. for a special permit and site plan approval under Sec. 5.9 of the Carlisle Zoning Bylaws to install, operate and maintain a personal wireless communication facility at 1022 Westford Street (Map 18, Lot 42A) on property owned by Lawrence A. Sorli.
Chair Epstein explained that the applicant had requested a continuation until the next PB meeting, on July 23rd, in order to be more fully prepared with responses to the PB’s requests, and that no testimony would be taken this evening.
Epstein moved to continue this hearing to 7:45 pm on Monday, July 23, 2007. Nathan seconded and the motion carried 6-0.
Informal discussion of conceptual plans of Sprint Spectrum and Nextel Communications to seek a special permit and site plan approval under Sec. 5.9 of the Carlisle Zoning Bylaws to install, operate and maintain a personal wireless communication facility at 27 School Street (First Religious Society) (Map 22, Lot 5), [Request of Joseph Pereira, Terrasearch, LLC]
Brian Lamoureux (Brown/Rudnick), attorney for Sprint/Nextel, referred to the recent changes to Carlisle’s Zoning Bylaws with respect to wireless telecommunications sites, and explained that the goal of the wireless providers is to fill a large coverage gap in the Town Center. Lamoureux explained that the antennas would be fully housed within the Church steeple located at 27 School Street, with the support equipment housed in the Church attic. The 2-3 HVAC units required will be placed to the rear of the Church, and will be screened. Mansfield reported that the Historical Commission has informed him that T-Mobile has expressed interest in a lower location within this steeple. Lamoureux added that Sprint/Nextel has filed with the Mass Historical Commission, as required.
Sprint/Nextel’s representative indicated that its goal was to provide information, to describe what waivers it may be requesting, and to become more familiar with the permitting procedure. The potential waiver requests relate to: siting in an historic district, proximity to a day care/child care facility (the church basement is used as such), and siting within 900-feet of a residence. Lamoureux expressed concern about satisfying the bylaw requirement that the applicant identify all existing on-air sites in Town and just outside of Town. He explained that they do not know where all competitors are located, especially if the facilities are well concealed, and added that Spring/Nextel can show its existing sites, planned sites, and coverage maps. When Nathan asked why the locations of
competitors’ facilities could not be determined from records of the nearby Towns, Pereira (TerraSearch), engineer for Sprint/Nextel, explained that while he could gather information in this way, he could not verify the thoroughness or accuracy, particularly with the rapidity of wireless provider consolidation and with resident changes (i.e. abutters changing due to resident relocations).
The PB stated that it would adhere to its requirement that a plan showing property lines and structures within 100-feet of the proposed facility be provided. Peterson suggested using an orthophoto overlay with labeling. The Planning Board agreed that no drainage calculations will be required, as no impervious surface would be created for this facility. In addition, the Planning Board indicated that visibility tests will not be required since the facility would be fully concealed.
Pereira explained that while some sections of the steeple would be taken off for antenna installation, removal of a minimal number of louvers in the front would take place. The louvers would be replaced with a texture-matched fiberglass material that will be painted to match the original louvers. Peterson ascertained from the representatives that Sprint and Nextel would agree to a condition that the current appearance of the steeple be maintained. At the Planning Board’s request, Lamoureux will bring samples of the louver replacement materials to the public hearing, along with photographs of other similar sites it has constructed. Lamoureux provided some sketches of the intended work, which will involve antennas at 89 and 82 foot heights (from ground level) within the steeple. Pereira
said that additional co-location possibilities will be up to the Church, as there are already three technologies interested (Sprint, Nextel and T-Mobile), and that a separation of 10-feet between carriers is generally required for co-location.
Larson instructed the representatives to fully characterize Sprint/Nextel’s service objectives in the application, and that continuous wave drive test data may be useful in illustrating how this coverage will connect to other facilities.
Chair Epstein opened this informal discussion to the public. Peter Yelle (Cross Street) said that in his opinion the proposed concealed facility fits with the intent of the Town’s bylaw, but reminded that any applicant for new wireless facilities should consider the collective impact of all of its proposed facilities in the Town. He stressed that coverage maps alone should not be the main focus, as decibel requirements and obtainable levels will change as the technologies change.
Concerning the timing of a hearing, Chair Epstein and Vice Chair Peterson both indicated that two consecutive publications in the Carlisle Mosquito would be highly preferred, and that due to the Mosquito summer publication schedule, this would point to a hearing at the first meeting in September (Monday, September 10th). Peterson said that there may be considerable interest from families with young children, and with a September hearing, most will be back in Town to attend. Pereira said that a certified Health Physicist will attend the hearing and speak on the topic of exposure concerns. He added that the radiation levels from this type of facility have generally been found to be 1000-fold below any potential problem causing levels.
The PB will confirm that their wireless consultant, David Maxson (Broadcast Signal Labs) could attend a September 10th hearing.
Organization of 2007-08 Board
The PB discussed and completed its appointment of officers, liaisons and appointees to other boards and committees. They are as follows:
Officers:
Chair: Michael Epstein
Vice Chair: Greg Peterson
Treasurer: Brian Larson
Clerk: Carol Nathan
Appointees:
Community Preservation Act Committee Kent Gonzales
Historical Commission Marc Lamere
MAGIC representative Carol Nathan
Long Term Capital Requirements Committee Brian Larson
Liaisons:
BOS Michael Epstein
ZBA Ken Hoffman
ConsComm Greg Peterson (Marc Lamere as Alternate)
Trails Marc Lamere
BOH Kent Gonzales (Carol Nathan as Alternate)
Town Counsel Michael Epstein (Greg Peterson as Alternate)
RecComm Ken Hoffman
Housing Authority Greg Peterson
Pedestrian and Bike Pathways Committee Marc Lamere
At 9:25PM, Peterson moved to adjourn the PB meeting, Nathan seconded and the motion was unanimous (6-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Gretchen Caywood
Administrative Assistant
Carlisle Planning Board
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