Town Of Westport: Public Comment Sought On Proposed Wireless Facility On Greens Farms Road

Press release from the Town of Westport:

06/15/2021 4:30 PM

The Selectman’s Office has received notification that, to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, All Points Technology Corporation has been retained by Tarpon Towers II to evaluate a proposed Wireless Communications Facility Modification at 92 Greens Farms Road in Westport.  Public notice of the proposed facility was published in the Norwalk Hour on Monday, June 7, 2021. Members of the public have thirty (30) days from that publication date, or Wednesday, July 7, 2021,  to submit written comments regarding any potential effects that the proposed facility at 92 Greens Farms Road may have upon historic properties

According to the notice, the proposed facility at the private residence located at 92 Greens Farms Road will include a +/- 124-foot-tall monopole tower with a new +/- 35-foot by +/- 64-foot (35X64) gravel based fenced equipment compound.  An access drive and underground electrical and telephone service will extend from Greens Farms Road.  The new tower and equipment compound will allow for the future co-location of multiple service providers.

Those wishing to make public comments regarding potential effects on historic properties may submit them to: 

All-Points Technology Corporation

Attention:  Jennifer Young Gaudet

567 Vauxhall Street Extension, Suite 311

Waterford, CT 06285

860-663-1697 ext. 231

jyounggaudet@allpointstech.com

The Town will work with the Historic District Commission to understand and consider any impact on Westport’s historic properties and submit comments related to those findings. 

In 2014, another company, North Atlantic Towers, proposed a tower facility at this same location and solicited feedback from the public. At that time, Westport residents submitted comments that both supported and opposed the location of the proposed tower facility. After several months, North Atlantic Towers ceased its planning and communications on the proposal.

Although the proposed tower facility location is at a private residence, under State law, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) has exclusive jurisdiction over telecommunication facilities such as this monopole.  Westport’s Planning & Zoning Commission and other local land-use bodies have no jurisdiction over such a facility.  If Tarpon Towers continues to seek out this location for its proposed tower, the CSC will have oversight going forward.   

First Selectman Jim Marpe stated, “As noted, we have dealt with this specific request once before. It is at the very preliminary stage of a larger process.  Following the evaluation of the proposed tower facilities on historic properties, Tarpon Towers would be expected to file a petition with the CSC and seek consultation with the Town.  It is anticipated that the Town Attorney will seek to understand the necessity of the proposed tower facilities, as well as whether other sites may be available. Depending upon timing and procedure, eventually, there would be a public hearing on the matter.  The Town will make every reasonable effort to keep the public apprised of additional requests for input or revisions to the proposed plans.”

This press release was produced by the Town of Westport. The views expressed here are the author’s own.