Balloon Test To Offer Idea Of How New Cell Tower Proposal Might Look

BEDFORD, NY — If you want to get an idea about what the potential new cell tower in Bedford might look like, just keep an eye on the sky.

An application by Verizon for a wireless tower on the hill behind the Bedford Post Inn (at 954 Old Post Road) has triggered a balloon test to better gauge the visual implications for surrounding properties. A balloon will be floated up to the height of the planned monopine (or monopole) in the proposed location of the facility and photographs will be taken of the balloon from different locations. The test is planned for Sunday, but could be delayed until Monday, if inclement weather in the wake of hurricane Nicole becomes a factor.

The Planning Board will begin looking at the photos at their meeting on Monday, Nov. 14, but officials said this will not be the only opportunity for the public to see and comment on the photos. Visual renderings will be produced from some of the photos and considered by the Planning Board in December. A full review of the application and public hearings will also be held in December.

The Town of Bedford has been working to settle a lawsuit against the municipality by Verizon. Verizon initiated the litigation because the Planning Board did not approve two of its previous applications to construct a wireless facility on Stone Hill Road and on Hickory Lane.

While the Town was working on a proposed settlement of the lawsuit, this potential new site came to the attention of officials. The new site is said to provide better coverage and may have less of an impact on the surrounding properties. Bedford has asked the court in the federal litigation to provide additional time to explore this option as a possible site for the settlement and are proceeding with the review of this site.

Click here for Verizon’s application.

Town officials said they are "cautiously optimistic" that a site has been located that may be less intrusive than the Stone Hill Road or Hickory Lane sites.

"We hope that the coverage, visual, environmental, and other elements of the review prove this to be true so that we will have a reasonable settlement option and a facility to provide wireless coverage for cell service and communications for emergency responders," the town said in a recently published statement.