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By Bill Toscano
More than a year after an initial proposal, the Adirondack Park Agency has approved a 90-foot tall cell tower in Hullets Landing.
The APA wound up choosing the second of two proposals. The initial plan called for a tower at the Huletts Landing Fire Department, but after “balloon tests,” the APA chose a second proposal, known locally as the VanderPlaat site, near Deer Run Way, about 800 feet south of County Route 6. The “balloon test” involved floating a balloon at the tower height and measuring where it could be seen from.
The idea behind the tower is to eliminate a “dead zone” in the area.
A Feb. 2 letter from the APA approves a permit for a May 17 proposal by Independent Tower Holdings, LLC, which was chosen over a proposal that was first proposed by AT&T/New Cingular Wireless that has been under consideration since December 2009. AT&T suspended that proposal after the balloon test found the other plan would have less visual impact.
The property includes a subdivision of a 75×75-foot parcel to build the tower, which will be built in a 60×60-foot fenced-in equipment compound. The tower will be painted a dark gray or black with non-reflective flat or matte finish. A vegetative “no cutting” easement will protect trees in the area of the tower.
AT&T Mobility-Upstate New York is proposing to install six panel antennas on the tower, with the future addition of three more. There will be a small equipment shelter with a backup generator. Utility cables will be under ground.
While the initial proposal is for AT&T, the APA approval notes that there would be space for a second and third carrier at the compound and on the tower.
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