Verizon urged to take comprehensive approach

CANTON — A request by Verizon Wireless for a new cell tower has St. Lawrence County planners wondering why the company can't come up with an overall countywide coverage plan.

"Board members and staff suggest that Verizon consider a more comprehensive approach to the development of its tower network in St. Lawrence County," read part of a board decision on a request for a cell tower at 226 Pollock Road in the town of Canton. "Receiving one application for multiple towers would be beneficial to the county for it would allow the board to look more critically at the best placement of towers countywide."

Such a plan doesn't make sense for the company, spokesman John F. O'Malley said.

"We have to do it one by one by one because of shifting priorities," he said. "It's not a practical matter for us. Things change. Each one follows its own timetable."

Planning Board staff also found minimal coverage difference between the proposed 180-foot tower height and a 96-foot tower. The higher tower was requested for the best overall coverage and to meet the town's requirement that it accommodate other carriers if need be, Mr. O'Malley said. A 100-foot tower would work but there would be gaps in coverage, he said.

The county board's comments are not binding on the Canton Town Planning Board, which informally reviewed the project Tuesday and passed it on to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance, which is needed because the tower would be in a rural zone.

Town Planning Board members have asked Code Enforcement Officer Russell B. Lawrence IV to send impact notices to as many neighbors as possible.

"We asked Rusty to widen the circle because this one is going to be so visible," town Planning Board Chairman Michael K. Morgan said. "We're looking to protect the neighbors if they want to be protected."

The town Planning Board saw no major problems with the project, but will review it again for a special use permit if the Zoning Board approves a variance.The tower would sit at least 500 feet from its closest property line and 600 feet from Pollock Road.

It would improve cell coverage in the hamlet of Morley, in part of the town of Potsdam and along County Route 14 and Route 68.