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| Bar Harbor Planning Board looks to increase cell tower setbacks | |
| USA | Created: 20 May 2008 |
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BAR HARBOR – Federal law prohibits towns from considering the possible health effects of the electromagnetic emissions of cell phone antennas in establishing rules governing the location of antennas. So, it couldn’t possibly be because of health concerns that the Planning Board is looking to increase the distance that wireless communication towers have to be set back from schools and child care centers. Instead, board members indicated last week that they will try to find some other plausible justification for whatever setback distances they would like the town to adopt. Bar Harbor currently has no rules governing cell phone towers. Citizens will vote June 10 on a proposed ordinance that would place some restrictions on where towers could be erected. It would require, for example, that towers be at least 500 feet from public schools. A number of citizens have complained that the proposed ordinance would not be nearly restrictive enough to protect people, especially children, from what they believe are the harmful effects of cell phone antenna emissions. They have cited a number of studies linking prolonged exposure to such emissions to higher risks of various types of cancer and other diseases. In response to those concerns, the Planning Board agreed in March to consider suggestions for amending the cell tower ordinance, should it be approved next month. November would be the earliest that a town-wide vote could be held on any amendments. Last Wednesday, the Planning Board held a workshop to hear what citizens had to say about the ordinance and to discuss changes they would like to see. Only a few citizens showed up, and those who spoke talked about the perceived health effects of close proximity to cell phone antennas. Board member Lynne Williams said the minimum setback from schools should be greater than 500 feet and should apply to all schools, not just public schools. She said the town also should establish minimum setbacks from day care centers and, perhaps, from residences. Ms. Williams cited the town of Palermo’s ordinance that prohibits cell phone towers within a half-mile of the community’s only school and within 1,000 feet of residences unless the property owners waive the setback. She and other board members agreed that half-mile (2,640 feet) setbacks probably wouldn’t be realistic in this community and likely wouldn’t stand up in court. But they seemed to favor setbacks greater than 500 feet for schools and child care facilities, provided they can justify the setbacks in a way that doesn’t violate the federal ban on considering potential health effects. “With this federally mandated cloud over our heads, we need to find other ways to achieve the same results,” Board chair Kay Stevens-Rosa said. Board member Kevin Cochary agreed, suggesting that the board might cite aesthetic or safety reasons for writing greater setbacks into the ordinance. Board member David Bowden said it would be helpful if the Planning Department staff would draw circles on a map of the town to show exactly where and how extensive no-tower zones would be if the town was to require setbacks of various distances – between 500 feet and half a mile – for schools and child care facilities. “That would make it easier for me to choose a setback number,” Mr. Bowden said. The other board members agreed, and Planning Director Anne Krieg said she would do “a mapping of setbacks to see what that looks like.” She said she would submit proposed changes to the cell tower ordinance for the Planning Board to consider at its June 4 meeting. The board has to recommend any changes to the Town Council by June 17 in order for those changes to be on the ballot at the November election. |
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| Click here to view the source article. | |
| Source: Maine Coast Now, Dick Broom, 19 May 2008 | |
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